The Newest Eating Disorder: Orthorexia
Sun 03 Jan 2010 13:48:48 | 2 comments
Plenty of experts are researching, writing and talking about the childhood obesity epidemic. I want to take a moment to talk about a parallel epidemic: I call it “The Fear-of-Obesity Epidemic.” It’s the newest eating disorder and it’s called Orthorexia, “characterized by excessive focus on eating healthy foods, a fixation so extreme that it can lead to severe malnutrition or even death.”
Tweet
SHARE
I’ve met parents who so fear having a fat kid, they go to unnecessary and potentially dangerous extremes to prevent it. At first glance, their efforts may appear laudable, but I suspect it’s not all about health.
The other evening an acquaintance’s rail-thin 11-year-old daughter proudly showed her mother her washboard abs after running on their treadmill for two hours. “Good for you!” her mother beamed proudly. (Why wasn’t this girl playing in the backyard?) This same mom berated a mutual friend who took her two daughters for ice cream after they’d eaten Chinese food.
“Why would you do something like that?” she asked incredulously.
“Uhm, to enjoy life?” my friend responded.
A school counselor recently told me about an 8-year-old student who was in tears because none of the girls at her birthday party had eaten the cake. “ “These were “Good Girls” who were just trying to avoid “Bad Food,” she said. Sadly, this is something that is becoming more and more commonplace.
The defining characteristics of an eating disorder are rigidity, inflexibility, perfectionism and the need to be in control. But your body and soul benefit when you go with the flow.
Balance is the key.
So how do we discuss these topics with kids so they’ll be healthy but not obsessed?
First, let’s tone down the rhetoric about Pounds, Calories, Fat Grams and Carbs in front of our kids. Diet gurus have taught us to refer to food in this odd language, transforming us into a nation of adding machines: recording, counting, adding, obsessing. And where does this eventually lead? The Binge! This food language has made us fatter and more disconnected us from our stomachs and our souls.
Second, let’s try to eliminate the emotionally charged, judgmental words of “Good” and “Bad” when we are talking about food and eating. These are highly loaded words for kids. Our new mantra should be: “Listen to your body.” The Body Whisperer respects the messages from her body. This will tell her just about everything she needs to know about food.
Here are 8 Simple Food Concepts Your Kids Will “Get:”
(1) ENERGY
When my son was 8, I explained to him the difference between a donut and a bagel. “A donut will give you a short burst of energy. But pretty soon afterwards you may feel tired, grumpy and hungry again. A bagel gives you energy that will last. If you put some peanut butter on it, your energy will last even longer!” I let him choose, but at least his eyes were open.
A few months later he was talking to me about some friend drama at school. “Kyle kicks me out of the Friendship Club one day, invites me back the next, then kicks me out the next! But Adam is always my friend; I can count on him.” Then he paused and exclaimed: “Kyle’s a donut. Adam’s a bagel.”
(2) BRAIN FOOD
Talk about how certain foods help the brain function at its optimal level. Kids want to be able to figure out a complicated math problem or remember the answer on the test. (3) POOPING My kids have experienced the pain of constipation enough times that a simple reminder that “fruits and veggies keep the food movin’ on through” will get the to eat their carrots.
(4) SPECIAL TREATS
Institute a One-Treat-a-Day rule, not because candy , cookies and ice cream are bad. On the contrary, it’s because they are delightfully special. If Christmas happened every day, it wouldn’t be special either.
(5) TEXTURE
Some kids hate vegetables because they are highly sensitive to textures. Slippery, slimy or mushy sensations make them gag: this is simply a hard-wired preference. Present them with crispy or fun-to-eat vegetables (have you discovered edamame?). And try not to panic about your picky eater; most kids will grow out of it and spend the next 60 years enjoying vegetables.
(6) VANITY
People who eliminate fat from their diets may develop thinning hair, dry skin and brittle nails. Foods that contain some fat make your hair shinier, your nails stronger and skin clearer. If you are going to appeal to vanity, describe these outward signs of health as opposed to making it all about body size.
(7) HEALTH
As kids become ‘tweens, they may express more interest in healthy eating. Take them to the Farmers Market and explain why it’s good for her --and the planet-- to buy fresh, local, organic foods. Compare ingredient lists on labels and discuss how fewer chemical ingredients can lead to better health over the course of a lifetime, trying not to emphasize calories and fat grams. Have these discussions in a non-alarmist, unemotional way.
(8) EXERCISE
Same concept here: being active is about having fun, getting strong, burning off excess energy, getting in a better mood and increasing the ability to concentrate. Exercise should not be viewed as punishment for the sin of over-eating, buying you the right to indulge in dinner nor the means to a skinny body. The idea is to help your kid link food and exercise to the functioning and feelings inside their body. The media and peer culture will focus on their Outsides. You’ll be getting them to focus on their Insides.
As a therapist, my primary task is to help clients struggling with eating disorders to re-learn this ancient wisdom. As a parent, you can give your child this valuable life-long gift: the capacity to listen to, learn from and trust the wisdom of his or her own bodies.
Now Raise Your Right Hand and Repeat after Me The M.O.D. Squad (moms of daughters)
Principle #3: BALANCE HEALTH WITH FLEXIBILITY
I will help my daughter make food choices based on sound nutrition mixed with a healthy dose of flexibility. I will show her that being active is a fun way to stay fit, strong and happy and is neither the road to thinness nor punishment for the sin of eating. I recognize that perfectionism and rigidity are the problem, not the solution.
####
Disclaimer #1: These principles apply to Dads and sons as well.
Disclaimer #2: An eating disorder is not a choice. It is a mental disorder caused by a complex combination of genetic, personality, familial, social and cultural influences.
To start a M.O.D. Squad group, visit www.MyEdin.org.
Dina Zeckhausen is a nationally-known psychologist who specializes in treating adults, teenagers and children with eating disorders and body image issues. She is a regular ShareWIK.com columnist and the author of the children's book, "Full Mouse, Empty Mouse: A Tale of Food and Feelings." You can visit her on the web at dinazeckhausen.com and MyEdin.org.
©ShareWIK Media Group, LLC. 2010
');
©2011 ShareWIK Media Group, LLC. All rights reserved. ShareWIK does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or
treatment. For more information, please read our Additional Information, Terms
of Use and Privacy
Policy.
home | sitemap | faq | columnists | members | discussions | groups | videos | press | advertise | contact us | estore | share your story | topics | calendar
Comments
Hallie Bandy
29 months ago
Delete
25 months ago
Delete
or
Search ShareWIK
Latest Columns
 The Grass Is Greener Right
HereWith her trademark wisdom, humor and honesty, Diana Keough provides a spiritual antidote to anxiety and despair in increasingly fraught times. |
|
|
|
|
 Second LifeAfter divorce, a death, a mid-life crisis, or just growing up and changing, baby boomers are learning to reinvent themselves, have fun and find satisfaction. Look out kids…it’s a new world out there! |
 Class Notes: Special
NeedsLearn from the journey of Jacque Digieso who was given a challenge and a blessing with her son, who has special needs. |
|
|
 Steve
PowellSteve is an experienced facilitator, practitioner, communicator and proven leader with over 25-years in experience in human factors education and teamwork training. |
 Living On
PurposeElaine Taylor-Klaus, teaches how to make life extraordinary. |
 rWorldDale Kuehne explores developing a world where relationships come first, and recognizes that individual health and fulfillment is connected to the quality of our relationships. |
 Back On
TopGinger Emas walks through life after divorce and how you can put your best assets forward. |
 Teacher
FeatureSchool teacher Margaret Anderson will provide insight into what really happens with your child in the classroom. |
 The Power of
GriefDiane Snyder Cowan specializes in grief therapy to help those in need deal with loss. |
 Cancer is Not Me and I
Am Not My CancerMy name is Jan Jaben-Eilon and I am an ovarian cancer survivor. I don’t like the expression, battling with cancer. I am living my life as fully and passionately as possible, despite the cancer. Cancer is NOT my identity. |
Navigate
Latest Activity
posted a new blog entry When a School Issue Arises, When Should Parents Get Involved?.
1 day ago
1 day ago
posted a new blog entry We Need Fewer Flags and More Spirit.
1 day ago
1 day ago
posted a new blog entry We need fewer flags and more spirit.
1 day ago
1 day ago
posted a new blog entry Questions Men Ask About Sex.
1 day ago
1 day ago