- Learn about eating disorders so you will recognize the signs when you see them.
- Understand the consequences of eating disorders on physical and psychological health. Eating disorders are potentially fatal diseases and must be treated accordingly.
- Listen to the individual with understanding, respect, and sensitivity.
- Tell the person you are concerned, you care, and you would like to help. Suggest that the person seek professional help from a physician and/or therapist.
- Be available when your friend or family member needs someone with whom to talk.
- Discuss things other than food, weight, counting calories, and exercise. Attempt to talk about feelings instead.
- Share your own vulnerabilities and struggles in coping with life.
- Don't take any action alone. Get help.
- Don't try to solve the problem for her. She needs a qualified professional.
- Don't blame her for doing something wrong or tell her she is acting silly.
- Don't gossip about her.
- Don't focus on weight, the number of calories being consumed, or particular eating habits.
- Don't make comments about her appearance. Concern about weight loss may be interpreted as a compliment, and comments about weight gain may be seen as criticism.
- Don't be afraid to upset her; talk with her.
- Don't reject or ignore her; she needs you.
- Don't get involved in a power struggle around eating or other symptoms.
- Don't be deceived by her excuses.
Prevention Tips for Parents
- Examine your own beliefs and feelings about body image and weight and consider how these might be communicated to your children in your attitudes, comments, or nonverbal responses.
- Encourage healthy eating and exercise.
- Allow your child to determine when he/she is full.
- Talk about different body types and how they can all be accepted and appreciated.
- Discuss the dangers of dieting.
- Show your children you love them for who they are inside, not because of how they look.
- Don't label foods as "good" or "bad."
- Don't use food as a reward or punishment.
- Don't diet or encourage your child to diet.
- Don't comment on weight or body types: yours, your child's, or anyone else's.
- Don't let anyone ridicule, blame, or tease your child.