It is natural for parents to worry that their children might be susceptible to media and peer pressures that could lead to body image concerns and eating disorders. When exposed to these pressures, only those children with inherited temperament, body chemistry and genetic predispositions for developing eating disorders will succumb to disease. Parents need also to model effective problem solving, as the child who knows how to face adversity and resolve problems will have little use for the likes of an eating disorder. Eating disorders are not frivolous bids for attention or behaviors that can be stopped or turned around easily. These diseases are driven by underlying emotional issues and until those driving forces are resolved, the behaviors that they produce can be as tenacious as addictions.
Children choose to have an eating disorder initially. . .
Quite the contrary - Children often feel that their parents' interest and involvement demonstrates love and caring and they are grateful for it. In actual fact, most children wish that their secret would be discovered as they need help to wage this recovery battle. In many instances, kids don't even realize that an eating disorder is a disease or that recovery is in order. Don't be fooled by the misconception that parental involvement in their child's life is necessarily intrusive. When your child has an eating disorder, her malnourishment leaves her in no position to take responsibility for herself.