QUESTION: My daughter, age 9, has recently started talking about her weight. She refers to herself as fat, talks about how big her tummy is. Initially, I ignored this, hoping it was short-term. Well, it's not - this has persisted for 3 to 4 months. She is not fat: she is very muscular and athletic and just right.Meltz also advised the mother to monitor the types of media her child is viewing, set a positive example, emphasize healthy behaviors instead of merely healthy eating, and develop an appreciation for the beauty of size diversity.
ANSWER: While you don't want to over-react, disordered eating is what leads to eating disorders, and disordered thinking is a big piece of that. So keep your pediatrician in the loop and familiarize yourself with the danger signs of eating disorders just as a point of education.
Now, since she eats a pretty healthy diet as it is, ramp down the conversation about what she eats. Stop making suggestions (unless she asks your opinion) and relegate the topic of food to a minor one in your home.
Other experts have noted that parents play an important role in helping daughters develop healthy self-esteem, which can significantly reduce their risk of struggling with an eating disorder.
Labels: weight-gain, self-esteem, body image
Posted By: Aspen/CRC
