My Child May Have an Eating Disorder: What Can I Do?

I want to try to reform my 11-year-old daughter’s unhealthy eating habits. But I am worried that by not letting her eat high-calorie, high-fat junk food, I’ll be paving the way for her to develop an eating disorder. I want her to be healthy, but I don’t want to make her unhappy about herself either. How do I handle this?
– Julie

Balance is the most important thing when developing healthy eating habits. Teach your daughter to eat healthy foods the majority of the time, and to save fattening foods for occasional treats. These treats should not be completely banned or else they will be even more appealing to your daughter!

Encourage healthy habits by having family meal times, by being a good role model, and by stocking the house with a variety of healthy food options. Give your daughter ways to boost her self-confidence, and encourage her to talk to you about any concerns that she may have about her body image.

For more information, check out these articles:
Healthy Eating
Eating Disorders
Developing Your Child's Self-Esteem

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: January 2007
Originally reviewed by: Neil Izenberg, MD

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