Eating disorders are one of the significant widespread issue of the contemporary society. This discussion essay provides a comprehensive list of guidelines for people assisting youth to recognize, prevent and assist the youth who are suffering from eating disorders.
Recognizing tips for Eating Disorders
- Refusal to eat food with friends and family members
- Frequently eating alone and eating in small portions
- Denial of going to family gathering and isolating her/his self from family members
- Skipping meals without any reason
- Extremely concerned for maintenance of physique
- Emotionally sensitive towards trivial matters
- Exhibiting anxiety and depression
- Using weight loss products and medicines
- Issues with sleeping
Prevention Tips of Eating Disorders
- Pay close attention to the behavioral and emotional triggers exhibited by your teenager
- Pay attention and highlight the positive qualities of the teenager
- Try to instigate self-esteem and positivity within the teenager
- Try to avoid talking about the ideal body size and shape
- Never body sham someone or anyone in front of the teenager
- Promote healthy body image
- Encourage the teenager to eat with family members and follow healthy eating habits
- Share the dangerous consequences of excessive dieting
- Try to take the teenager to social gatherings and avoid him sitting in isolation
- Criticize and question the media messages such as advertisements, TV shows and movies which are promoting body objectification
Assistance Tips
- Apply for a personalized eating disorder prevention program for your teenager
- Consult a pshychologist for counselling sessions for the teenager
- Choose psychological therapaies or hospitalization if required
- Be regualar on the counselling sessions with your teenager and have proper follow-up
- Create a vision board for the teenager to visiolize his life goals to instigate motivation and self-esteem. The vision board will help the teenager to constantly remind him/her of his life goals. Furthermore, it will motivate the teenager
Works Cited
Brody, Jane E. “Recognizing Eating Disorders in Time to Help.” The New York Times, 30 July 2018. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/30/well/recognizing-eating-disorders-in-time-to-help.html.
“Is Your Teen at Risk of Developing an Eating Disorder?” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teen-eating-disorders/art-20044635. Accessed 20 July 2021.
“Prevention.” National Eating Disorders Association, 25 Feb. 2017, https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/general-information/prevention.
“Warning Signs and Symptoms.” National Eating Disorders Association, 21 Feb. 2017, https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/warning-signs-and-symptoms.
