Tips for Parents & Legal Guardians

Please Note: The below information is intended for informational and educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

Do:

• Educate yourself about the various types of eating disorders and their symptoms so you can recognize the signs when you see them
• Seek professional help immediately if you suspect your child may have a problem
• Approach your child in a loving manner with a listening ear and open arms
• Understand the severe physical and psychological consequences that eating disorders can lead to if left untreated
• Focus your conversations with your child on feelings instead of food, weight, calories or exercise
• Discuss the dangers of dieting with your child
• Show you child you love them for who they are, not because of how they look
• Allow your child to determine when they are full
• Examine your own beliefs and feelings about body image and weight and consider how your comments or nonverbal responses are being communicated to your child
• Talk about different body types and how they can all be accepted and appreciated
• Speak to your child about how amazing their body is and all the different things that their body allows them to do
• Remind your child that there are no “good” or “bad” foods

Don’t:

• Try to “fix” the issue yourself. Always seek professional help
• Blame your child for doing something wrong or dismiss their concerns
• Be afraid to confront your child in a loving manner
• Label foods as “good” or “bad”
• Use food as a reward or punishment
• Diet or encourage your child to diet
• Comment on weight, body types or appearance
• Compliment your child or anyone else as that person loses weight or diets
• Criticize your own eating
• Expect perfection from your child
• Agree with the media’s view about what body types are acceptable or attractive