Preventing Eating Disorders

Can eating disorders be prevented? This is a question that many health professionals and eating disorder patients would like to know. According to recent research, it appears that there are several preventive measures that can be taken in order to prevent the development of an eating disorder. Preventive measures should be adopted early on in families where there is a history of eating disorders or other types of compulsive behaviors. Here are five preventive measures that anyone can enact in order to keep eating disorders at bay.

1. Refuse to diet. Dieting, eating disorder experts tell us, is usually the first step to developing an eating disorder. One eating disorder support organization notes that women who adopt extremes in their dieting are eighteen times more at risk of developing an eating disorder. If someone in your family may be vulnerable to developing an eating disorder, they should refrain from dieting. Instead, the individual should visit a physician to learn about safe and effective ways to losing weight. Diets, with their philosophy of deprivation, only exacerbate the eating disorder patient’s propensity for engaging in destructive and compulsive behavior.

2. Parents should act as positive and healthy role models. Researchers tell us that parents play a very important role in whether children will eventually develop an eating disorder. Many parents unconsciously project unhealthy beliefs and attitudes about their own bodies that their children pick up on. Parents who place a high value on being thin or other aspects of one’s physical appearance may be sending the message to their children that physical appearance is more important than being happy and healthy. Parents should strive to cultivate a positive attitude about their own bodies. They should provide their children with a safe, caring and non-judgmental atmosphere. This can be accomplished by planning nutritious meals and fun activities that involve the entire family. Negative self-talk should always be avoided.

3. Family dynamics can prove key to preventing an eating disorder. Families should strive to spend quality time together. Prepare and eat dinner together, and engage in fun outdoor activities. Competition and criticism should be avoided in order to create a safe and caring environment where children feel valued.

4. Think of exercise as a means to good health, not a slim body. Our collective attitude towards exercise is generally negative. As a culture, we think of exercise as just another chore, something that is boring, hard, and even painful. Changing the way you think about exercise can help prevent the onset of an eating disorder. Regaining a sense of the pure joy of movement is one way to prevent the development of eating disorders. Strive to engage in activities that interest and thrill you.

5. Eat a variety of foods in moderation. Eating food in moderation means you can eat even your favorite guilty pleasures. Resist from making a mental “do not eat” list in order to cultivate a healthy attitude towards food. Remember, you can eat anything you want, as long as you keep your foods balanced.