Children who base their view of themselves on how others see them are also at risk. Parents can begin by promoting healthy eating habits. Fill the house with healthy foods. Fix three healthy meals a day or teach your child how to prepare a healthy meal. Don't use food as a reward.
Parents can also promote awareness in school.
Contact organizations and groups that offer free information and brochures. Ask for extra brochures to distribute throughout your child's school. You can also meet with the health teacher and ask that some time be devoted to discussing eating disorders, body types, healthy dieting, and physical obsession. If a teacher is uncooperative to devote time to the subject start a petition among parents. This article was reprinted with permission from Single Parenting in the Nineties.