I’m really concerned about my 15 year old daughter who has been dieting for about a year, and recently decided she would only eat vegetables and fruit. She has also started running five miles every day and weighs herself frequently. She is bright, active in school, and has many friends. However, she says she never feels “pretty” or “thin enough.” I’m worried she’s become obsessed about her weight and is becoming dangerously thin. Does she have an eating disorder? 

It sounds like your daughter could be on the path towards Anorexia. In our country, eating disorders impact approximately 5 million girls and their families each year. Unfortunately, we live in a society where “thin is in” and young girls who are conscious of their looks and weight as they go through adolescence are highly susceptible to the development of an eating disorder.

There are many underlying emotional, physical and psychological components that make it difficult for families to diagnose and treat an eating disorder on their own. Furthermore, because of the dangerous medical complications that can occur with eating disorders, such as cardiovascular irregularities, compromised bone density, electrolyte imbalances and cognitive impairment, it is always a good idea to err on the side of caution. If you suspect your child is in danger, act sooner than later. It is natural for families to feel powerless, confused and guilty when they find out their daughter has been diagnosed with an eating disorder. Parents often ask themselves “where did I go wrong?” or “how could this happen to my child who seems so together?”  It’s imperative you remember there is no single causal reason why girls and women develop eating disorders. Many factors contribute, including societal norms that thinness equals beauty, personality characteristics such as perfectionism and low self-esteem, and psychological factors such as depression and anxiety. Allow yourself to not know all the answers and seek to educate yourself.

As a parent, there are ways you can help prevent eating disorders. Be mindful of how often you comment on your own looks and weight. Try to model a healthy, balanced approach to eating and exercise. Remind your child of other attributes besides her weight or body that you find valuable and special. Remember to have empathy for the societal pressures she faces from peers, media and school.

If you are interested in learning more about eating disorders, or think your child might have the signs and symptoms of an eating disorder, feel free to attend the upcoming Symposium for Eating Disorders sponsored by McCallum Place. It will be held February 28^th and March 3^rd at The Heights, 8001 Dale Avenue in Richmond Heights. This informational workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, call 314-863-7700. You can also visit www.mccallumplace.com for information and resources. 

Meredith Roberts, M.S., LMFT
McCallum Place - Residential Center for Eating Disorders
314-835-0477 

Editor’s note: Additional events for the community in recognition of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week are two lectures and an ongoing art and writing exhibit presented by St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute. Randall Flanery, Ph.D., will present an Update on Eating Disorders on March 5 at The Heights, 8001 Avenue. For more information, call 636-532-9188.

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