Be This Be That…Too Thin Too Fat

This article https://eatingdisorders.com/news/eating-  disorders/hospitalization-caused-by-eating-disorders-in-young-children-on-the-rise#comment-1762 is about how eating disorder related hospitalizations of children under twelve are on the rise.  ”The results of the anti-obesity drive over the last few years   focusing on eating habits and losing weight – may have unintentionally contributed towards an increase in eating disorders.” Said Dr. David S. Rosen. I agree.  It […]

This article https://eatingdisorders.com/news/eating-  disorders/hospitalization-caused-by-eating-disorders-in-young-children-on-the-rise#comment-1762 is about how eating disorder related hospitalizations of children under twelve are on the rise.  ”The results of the anti-obesity drive over the last few years   focusing on eating habits and losing weight – may have unintentionally contributed towards an increase in eating disorders.” Said Dr. David S. Rosen.

I agree.  It is a point of view to consider that perhaps the anti-obesity movement has backfired and kids are receiving mixed messages.  The constant pressure on youth to be as thin as possible is accepted and allowed until the kid hits that point where they cross a line and then are reprimanded for having gone over board into the land of anorexia. On the flip side the anti-obesity boogie man is hovering and this puts kids in a bind.  It is a difficult double standard

What’s a kid to do???

for kids to grapple with. “I’m supposed to be thin, but not too thin.”   “I’m supposed to exercise but not too much.”  ”When I fail at diets and gain weight, people are happy until I get pudgy then they worry that I’m going to be fat.”

The yo yo dieting that results is dangerous emotionally and physically. Until we remove the pressure on kids to look a certain way in order to be attractive and successful, then we can’t expect them to understand when they are doing it right or doing it wrong. And by then, they are already in the hospital.

It is National Eating Disorders Week…Please Pay Attention and focus on health not weight, it’s better for the children!

 
Eating Disorder Self Test. Take the EAT-26 self test to see if you might have eating disorder symptoms that might require professional evaluation. All answers are confidential.

Find a Treatment Facility Near You

Click on a state below to find eating disorder treatment options that could be right for you.

Where do calls go?

Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Calls to any general helpline (non-facility specific 1-8XX numbers) could be forwarded to SAMHSA or a verified treatment provider. Calls are routed based on availability and geographic location.

The EatingDisorders.com helpline is free, private, and confidential. There is no obligation to enter treatment. In some cases, EatingDisorders.com could charge a small cost per call, to a licensed treatment center, a paid advertiser, this allows EatingDisorders.com to offer free resources and information to those in need by calling the free hotline you agree to the terms of use. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses.

CALL NOW FOR IMMEDIATE HELPCALL NOW FOR IMMEDIATE HELP800-568-9025Response time about 1 min | Response rate 100%
Who Answers?