Preventing Eating Disorders

Your approach to food and nutrition can play a powerful role in your loved one's development of healthy attitudes about food and nutrition.

Your own body image may influence them. If you constantly say "I'm fat," complain about exercise, and practice "yo-yo" dieting, they may feel that it is normal and acceptable to have a distorted body image.

It is important to make sure the individual knows that you love him or her for who she is and what she does, not how she looks.

At a time when there is a lot of societal concern about obesity, it can be particularly tricky for parents to feel comfortable talking to their kids about their eating habits. Many parents worry about how to get their kids a healthy diet, and prevent them from becoming obese or overweight without giving them anxiety about food that might lead to an eating disorder. The best thing to do is to emphasis health, rather than their weight.

Finally, take an active role in creating a healthy lifestyle for your loved one. Involve them in the preparation of healthy, nutritious meals on a regular basis. Let them know that it's OK to eat when you're hungry, and refuse food when you're not. Also, make exercise a fun and rewarding activity, as well as a regular one. If you have healthy attitudes about food and exercise, this individual will have a good example from which to learn.