what can a parent do to prevent an eating disorder?


1.   Counter the media’s distorted view of ideal beauty and the perfect body.

            Raise questions like:

“Can we change our bodies?” 

“Should we accept media ideals?”

2.   Monitor self-talk about our own body AND model self-acceptance of our own physique.

3.   Respect and accept variations in body size, weight, and shape of your son or daughter.

4.   Educate your child about normal weight gain and body changes to expect as they mature.

5.   Recognize and honor accomplishments, kindness, and the inner beauty of children.

6.   Focus on positive feelings associated with physical activity when the body is used in healthy ways.

7.   Teach how to resist peer pressure to diet.

8.   Have healthy foods available to eat and allow your child to self-police.

9.   Remember that a healthy self-esteem will drive body image acceptance!!

Help your child develop coping and problem solving skills and to learn how to maintain healthy relationships in order to boost their self-confidence.


1.   Encourage participation in activities that increase a sense of competence.

            Provide opportunities for them to learn management and communication skills.

2.   Help athletes feel good about themselves and their performance.

3.   Encourage and support assertiveness.

4.   Help them to build a positive sense of self and self-evaluation by focusing on strengths.

5.   Maintain a supportive relationship with them throughout their adolescence.

6.   Make sure your child hears you telling others why you are proud of them.

 Let a child feel heard and understood and to know that someone is there for them.


1.   Every child needs a place to go where they know they are supported and loved for who they are.

  • Provide a haven from a feeling of isolation.  
  • A buffer against life stressors.  
  • Where the drama of adolescence can be reframed as normal.

2.   Provide motivation, inspiration and positive self-appraisals.

3.   Provide physical and material needs within a safe, clean, healthy home environment.

4.   Maintain positive home environment and a warm parent-child relationship.

5.   Eat family meals together routinely.

6.   Provide an opportunity for the child to feel loved and accepted by God.

7.  Teach the child how to handle stress and to find a balance between sports/school commitments 

     and life outside of sports/school.

Provide an outlet for safely expressing the full range of adolescent emotion