Eating disorders are a serious condition that can be damaging, both physically and emotionally. Eating disorders are a lot more than unhealthy dietary habits. At their deepest level, eating disorders are rooted in distorted and self depreciative attitudes.


The individual is self critical in the context of food, weight and appearance. Such negative and depreciating thoughts fuel the damaging and self destructive eating disorders. People suffering from such feelings use food as a crutch to cope with disturbing and painful emotions.


For example, victims of child abuse or troubled teens with controlling and repressive families may restrict food to establish some sense of control. Similarly, overeating is used to address feelings of anger, loneliness or hurt, while purging as a means of dealing with helplessness or self loathing.

Eating disorders have sadly become increasingly common even among pre-teens.


Children exposed to certain conditions and attitudes are more likely to develop an eating disorder. For example kids from a dysfunctional family, a child suffering from child abuse, or even a child brought up by parents where both or just one of the parents is preoccupied with weight, diet and appearances. In the case of teenagers, the transition from childhood to adulthood can be emotionally stressful and frightening. Some may cross this bridge with minor problems, but others may face greater challenges and some may develop an eating disorder.

If you are worried about your children developing eating disorders you need to be aware of what the risk factors are:

• Weak parental control and guidance is a big cause of eating disorders in children. Parents who have unhealthy eating habits, and frequently diet or binge, or use laxatives and weight loss pills, and are preoccupied with their appearance negatively influence their children’s impressionable minds.

• Unregulated television with no guidance is a major problem, as kids are exposed to more commercials and sitcoms that bombard them with images of fattening unhealthy junk food and ‘super thin’ models at the same time.

• Lack of strong family bonds and healthy family relationships is another major cause Families that eat meals together are less likely to be affected to the problem. Distance and isolation from other family members only increases and leads to psychological stress, which is the main cause of eating disorders.

An individual afflicted with an eating disorder is most likely to hide the problem, but there are warning signs that you can pick up on. If you notice that anyone you are close to seems to exhibit signs of an eating disorder you could make a difference. Identifying and addressing the problem early makes recovery a lot easier. Coercion is not an option, and you can’t convince someone to change their beliefs but you could show care and concern, offering unconditional support, and steering the person towards professional help. Make sure however, that you are not confrontational, and even if the person gets defensive turning it into a confrontational situation just back off. Let the person know that you are concerned and will be there if needed, but back off. Adopting a confrontational or accusatory attitude is the worst thing you can do as this will only serve to further alienate the individual.