Every fall, students deal with common experiences riddled with eating disorder/body image triggers, such as moving to a new school or heading off to college, peer pressure, and — for student athletes — high sports-performance expectations. In fact, the primary times when eating disorders start include the onset of puberty or the transition to college. According to a 2009 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey, one in 10 ninth- to 12th-grade students did not eat for 24 hours or more to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight (during the 30 days prior to the survey). According to a 2006 National Eating Disorders Association survey, one in five college students say, at some point, they have suffered from an eating disorder.
Here are a couple ideas of ways that parents can help promote a healthy body image/healthy eating habits during back to school:
When shopping for new school clothes or a “first day of school outfit,” don’t focus comments on your child’s body shape or size. Instead, try finding an outfit in their favorite color or go shopping for backpacks and binders with their favorite colors and designs on them.
If your son or daughter is getting ready to make the big move to college, it may be time to have an honest conversation about the peer pressure often associated with parties and social settings and the dangers of drunkorexia – replacing food calories with alcohol calories.
It’s important to remind your student athlete not to overdo fall sports preparation in an effort to make the team. Watch for signs of exercise bulimia, such as sports preparation while he or she is injured or sick or exercise that significantly interferes with daily activities (such as studying and sitting down to family meals).
Julie Holland, Eating Recovery Center; International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals
