Parenting My Teen

Parenting Teenagers is difficult enough when you are dealing with normal teen issues, but it can be extremely difficult and worrisome when you start dealing with some of the more serious teen issues such as eating disorders. Eating disorders is one of the most common problems among teens today, and it’s mainly because of our society’s unhealthy view of what “good” looks like. For the most part, our society believes that one must be extremely thin (size 2-6 for women, Medium for men) to be classified as looking “good.”

While most adults understand that society’s view of overall health is wrapped up in looks and isn’t healthy, most teens and young children do not. They are being raised in a world where men will only date women who are a certain side and have flawless skin, and women are almost just as picky when it comes to the men they date. Additionally, the majority of the people seen on the covers of magazines appear to be thin and flawlessly beautiful. And, let’s not even get started on the actors and actresses we’re watching on television and in the movies.

When you take into account all of the images our teens are being flooded with on a daily basis, it’s no wonder that they are becoming more and more self-conscious. This is what leads many teens into eating disorders; their fear of being rejected by their peers for not looking a certain way. Not all teens take this fear to the extreme of an eating disorder, but many do. Therefore, it’s important if you’re parenting teenagers that you are aware that eating disorders among teens are becoming more common.

While many teens with eating disorders are pretty good about hiding them, if you watch your teens closely and pay attention to their eating habits, you’ll most likely be able to determine whether or not your child has an eating disorder. The three main eating disorders among teens are Anorexia, Bulimia and Compulsive Eating.

Anorexia is when a person cannot quit dieting and always views themselves as being “fat” or overweight. Some people who suffer from anorexia refuse to eat while others will eat only a small amount. The problem with anorexia is that sufferers aren’t giving their bodies the nutrients they need to function properly which can be deadly, if not treated.

Bulimia is a little more difficult to detect than anorexia is because bulimic people actually eat. And, they appear to be eating normal amounts as well. However, they will usually excuse themselves to go to the restroom at some point and make themselves vomit the food back up. This can be just as dangerous as anorexia because these people are depriving their bodies of the essential nutrients they need to survive also.

Compulsive eating is commonly overlooked as an eating disorder because these people eat too much. Compulsive eaters are generally depressed, stressed out or have an unhealthy self-image and the way they deal with their unhappiness is by eating large amounts of food. While these people are giving their bodies plenty of nutrients, they are still damaging their bodies because of all the weight that is being gained. Therefore, this eating disorder is just as dangerous as anorexia and bulimia.

As mentioned above, eating disorders are becoming more and more common among teens as they try to fit in among their peers. If you are parenting teenagers, then you need to closely monitor your teens and watch their eating habits. If you suspect that your teen has an eating disorder, you need to get them help.