by Amy Hite

Created on: October 27, 2009   Last Updated: November 06, 2009

Most of us start our day with breakfast, proceed to lunch, and finish off the day with dinner. We might snack a little in between. Maybe a time or two we'll think about our food decisions, choosing the healthier apple slices as opposed to the greasy french fries. To a teen with an eating disorder, food choices suddenly are not so simple. Everything about food becomes a compulsion, and these uncomplicated choices to everyone else suddenly consume their every thought, action, and judgment.

To cope with your teen's eating disorder, you must first understand the different types of food-related disorders, and then determine which one is afflicting your child.

1. The most commonly known eating disorders are those stemming from your teen's fear of gaining weight. Known to most as anorexia and bulimia, these compulsions involve restricting caloric intake by either reducing amounts eaten (anorexia) or by the purging of food after excessive consumption (bulimia). These disorders are specifically linked to body image and self esteem issues.

2. Another food-related disorder often disregarded is binge-eating. Binge-eating involves obsessively eating excessive amounts without purging. Teens with this disorder may have severe depression, or may be attempting to overcompensate for a loss through food.

Causes of food-related compulsions can range from biological to environmental. We live in a celebrity-obsessed culture, particularly amongst teens, and most celebrities are under a tremendous amount of pressure to keep their bodies a certain way. Your teen sees a photo of his or her favorite celeb and of course wants to copy the look. Talk to your teen about what it means to have a healthy body image and a healthy weight. Combat the social pressures through communication. Build your child's self esteem through gentle encouragement.

Sports can help build self esteem, but may also contribute to eating disorders. If your teen is obsessed with being the perfect athlete, he or she might feel pressured by a coach or by society to look a certain way. Do not sacrifice your teen's health for success in sports. Keep a watchful eye for excessive exercising and a change in dietary habits.

Other causes leading to eating disorders are family discord, abuse, or even genetics. If things seem to be spinning out of control, a natural tendency is to focus on the things you can control. Management of food intake is often the answer to an overwhelmed teen. Your teen will most likely need to seek help from a doctor, a therapist, and a nutritionist to help get him or her back on track. Family involvement is crucial, and counseling for the entire family can sometimes help get everyone on the same page. Your teen might need an extended stay at a treatment center to kick start recovery.

Remember to lead by example. If you are one to obsess about your own weight, recognize that your behaviors may be directly affecting your teen. With information, action, and support, you will not only cope with your child's disorder, but provide an easier path to healing.

Links to more information:

http://www.eatingdisordershelpguide.com/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/binge-eating-disord er/DS00608/DSECTION=causes

Learn more about this author, Amy Hite.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.