Kids should focus on health and well-being rather than dieting and weight

Australia has seen an increased awareness of body image and eating disorders due to the work of Taryn Brumfitt, Australian of the Year 2023. Rather than focus on dieting, body image and weight, children should be focussing on health and well-being.

Many parents may not be aware of how serious the issue is among children and teens. A recent meta-analysis from JAMA Pediatrics this week showed more than 1 in 5 children are at risk for an eating disorder - higher than previously thought.

The study revealed that 30% of girls and 17% of boys had some form of disordered eating, which increased risk with age. Disordered eating can manifest itself in different ways, such as weight loss dieting, binge eating, self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise and the use of laxatives or diuretics. It's important to note that these behaviours can sometimes go undetected; however, it is essential for parents to be aware of any changes in their child's diet or behaviour that could suggest they are engaging in disordered eating habits.

It is also important to consider how society contributes to this issue by focusing on healthy eating, weight and body image rather than overall well-being. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to lead a healthy lifestyle, this focus on diet and physical appearance can inadvertently fuel disordered eating patterns among children who may already feel self-conscious about their bodies or feel like they need to fit into a certain mould.

Parents should look out for any early signs that their child might be developing an unhealthy relationship with food or body image so they can help them gain control over their thoughts and actions before the problem escalates further. This could include sudden changes in weight or attitude towards food as well as any other negative comments about themselves or their bodies made by the child.

Eating disorders are increasingly common among Australian children but fortunately, there are steps parents can take to help prevent them from becoming an issue in the first place. Education around healthy living rather than weight and body image is key, as well as being aware of any changes in your child’s attitude towards food or physical appearance that could indicate they are at risk for developing an eating disorder. By understanding what an unhealthy relationship with food looks like and having open conversations with their kids about body image, we will all have a part to play in tackling this growing problem in Australia today.