• enjoying food and eating-simetimes with great gusto-without feeling guilty
• eating regularly
• being willing to try new foods, but also being comfortable turning them down
• eating when hungry and stopping when they are full
• generally - if not always - following the basic principles of healthy eating

 

Warning Signs of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders such as emotional overeating, anorexia and bulimia are distortions in eatng accompanied by an underlying emotional difficulty. If you think your child is developing an eating disorder, seek professional medical help.

Be concerned about teenagers who exhibit these warning signs:

• a preoccupation with weight
• a feeling of being "fat" when clearly not overweight
• a preoccupation with food, calories, eating, ritualistic eating patterns
• hiding food
• an obession with exercise
• periods of starvation followed by binges on high calorie foods
• denying hunger
• self induced vomiting (watch for trips to the bathroom after eating)
• evidence that laxatives, diuretics or diet pills are used
• feelings of guilt or shame about eating
• low self esteem, feelings of stupidity in a competent, contentious teen
• chronic fatigue, irritability, depression
• complaints about being cold, bloated