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Home › Articles › Health › Beyond Anorexia and Bulimia

Beyond Anorexia and Bulimia

Eating Disorders Not Specified

By Sue Marquette Poremba

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How You Can Help

"You never know who will be predisposed to develop a disorder," Dr. Nardozzi says. "A lot of people diet, but for some, it gets worse."

If parents notice their child taking a disinterest in food or too much interest in losing weight, Dr. Nardozzi suggests watching for other behaviors and physical changes like the following:

  • change in moods
  • secretive behaviors
  • going to the bathroom more frequently
  • "chipmunk" cheeks (comes from frequent purging)
  • pale or yellowish skin tone

"Eating disorders are often a way to cope with emotional problems," Dr. Nardozzi says. Losing weight or severely restricting food intake can create the illusion of being in control. But it's not just losing weight that attracts those with emotional difficulties; binge eating does as well. "It may be soothing to overeat," Dr. Nardozi says. "For some, that large size is like a protection."

If you think your child is dealing with an eating disorder, Mueller says to contact your family physician and ask if he understands the treatment of eating disorders. If not, ask for a recommendation to a doctor who does. Don't be afraid to put your child into a clinic or a hospital for treatment. There the child will get both the psychological and nutritional treatments necessary to begin living a healthy life.

*Last name withheld to protect privacy.

Monkey See. Monkey Do.

While eating disorders are caused by emotional stress or other psychological or mental-health problems, parents need to understand that they act as role models for their child's eating habits, says Jodi Krumholz, director of nutrition at The Renfrew Center of Florida. "If you are constantly dieting or worrying about food or your weight, you can't expect your child to know how to eat healthy." She recommends parents show a healthy attitude toward food as well as providing healthy meals.


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