Eating Disorders on the Rise

Did you know that 50 percent of girls between the ages of 11 and 13 see themselves as overweight?

We live in a society that has become obsessed with beauty and with having the perfect body. You are probably aware that the incidence of eating disorders has risen drastically over the past 20 years. But now studies are showing the kids as young preschool age are affected by disordered eating. It starts with a preoccupation with weight and being thin, that leads to dieting to try to lose weight—studies show that 80 percent of 13-year-olds have tried to lose weight. There are serious physical and psychological implications if this obsession continues.

This week I will focus on the different types of eating disorders and their signs and symptoms, as well as ways you, as parents, can promote healthy self-image in your children.

Some Sobering Statistics

42 percent of 1st to ­3rd grade girls want to be thinner.

Over one-­half of teenage girls and nearly one­-third of teenage boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, and taking laxatives.

40 percent of newly identified cases of anorexia are in girls 15 to ­19 years old.

In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are battling an eating disorder.

(Source: NationalEatingDisorders.org)