In reaction to pediatric obesity, my concern is that we have become unbalanced in the way we talk to our children about what they eat and their bodies. There is no denying that pediatric obesity is a very real problem. However, it is also becoming very clear that eating disorders in our children is also a real problem. "Among children younger than 12 with eating disorders, hospitalizations surged 119 percent between 1999 and 2006. That's according to government data contained in an American Academy of Pediatrics report released online Monday."
Learning how to talk to your children about what, and how much, they eat can be a challenging task, especially if you have your own eating issues and concerns. As a parent, it is your responsibility to provide your children with a variety of healthy foods with SOME treats, encourage and model an active lifestyle, and to limit the time your child spends in front of the computer and television. It is also your responsibility to educate yourself about what you can do to protect your child from developing an eating disorder. However well intended and loving you are re: your child's weight, please be aware of going too far in controlling your child's eating and weight. Powerful messages from our culture at large and your child's own social circle contributes to your child's perceptions as well. Educate yourself about the warning signs of an eating disorder and seek professional help sooner rather than later. Please see the resources section of my website for more information.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gTIKgGZ4OnwM1A4w6xa4BEG_Pjcw?docId=4d513ceeeef44c9ea9bc5163adacf708
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