Who do you picture when you think of someone with an eating disorder? If you are like many people, you envision a young, underweight, white female. But eating disorders affect people regardless of age, ethnicity, gender or body type. And, as parents, we are key to recognizing the signs of a possible problem in our child, seeking appropriate help and supporting our child’s journey to a positive body image and healthy eating.

 

Claire Mysko, an internationally recognized expert on eating disorders and body image, joins Marti & Erin in this week’s episode of Mom Enough for an important conversation about this problem that touches so many lives. Along with her professional expertise, Claire also brings the compassion and wisdom that comes from having suffered with an eating disorder herself. Listen and share with other parents you know!

 

WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO PREVENT YOUR CHILD FROM DEVELOPING AN EATING DISORDER?

Thinking about what you heard in this discussion about eating disorders and body image, what examples do you notice in every day conversation, school policies or media messages that could feed into the negative body image so many young people experience today? To what extent have you experienced these issues in your own life, and how have you handled those feelings? What can you learn from that experience to help prevent your daughters and sons from struggling with similar issues?

 

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EATING DISORDERS?

❉ National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)

❉ NEDA's toll-free and confidential helpline

❉ Claire Mysko's blog and books

❉ Eating Disorders: Symptoms, Treatment & Risks

❉What are Eating Disorders?