Teaching Healthy Eating Habits & Positive Body Image

An introduction to early eating disorder prevention and awareness in pre-adolescent girls and boys ages 6-10. Presented by Amy Reich Health Educator

Learning Objectives

• Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to:
• Show a basic understanding of why eating disorders may develop in the preadolescent years and what are some signs to look for.
• Define how the cultural ideal and body dissatisfaction can lead to disordered eating behaviors and full blown eating disorders.
• Explain the connection between overweight or obesity and eating disorders.
• Describe age appropriate prevention.Identify their own personal beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors related to food, dieting, and body image.
• Identify their own personal beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors related to food, dieting, and body image.

Eating Disorders Begin Early

• 10 % diagnosed in children
• As early as age 6, girls concerned about weight or shape.
• Boys are exposed to the cultural idea of lean and muscular & may be bullied for being thin or chubby.
• 40-60 % of elementary school girls, ages 6-12, have weight concerns. (1, 2, 3) .

Myths About Eating Disorders

Boys and Eating Disorders

What Causes the Development of an Eating Disorder?

Feelings

Feelings

• Be Present
• Listen
• Allow all feelings
• (2,3,5,6,6b,10)

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Overview of Prevention Programs
Topics Include: Understand your body, listen to your body, respect your body, move your body, love your body.

Normal weight gain in preadolescence (2)

Body Images in Media

Kids come in all sizes..it

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Popeye

Body image & weight related talk.

Genetics & Body Type

Some of us are big. (7)

Size does not equal worthiness

Celebrate Our Differences

• Body Diversity about

Warning Signs of Eating Disorders in Children

Warning Signs

• Concern about their body or weight.
• Unexpected weight loss or gain.
• Anxiety surrounding food.
• (2, 2b, 13)

Healthy Eating to the Extreme
Long Term Consequences (2b,)

Is my child is overweight?
(2,12)

Ellyn Satter slide

Types of Eating Disorders

Types of Eating Disorders

All Foods Fit

Enjoy preparing and eating food together. (7)

Grow!

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Nutrient Support

Parents Provide Food (8)

Children Choose what to eat and how much. (8)

Sometimes they choose ice cream.

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Find Joyful Movement

Have fun with friends & family. (7)

Overview of prevention programs

Age Appropriate Prevention

Thank you

Resources

• Ellyn Satter Institute - Excellent resource with topics related to children and food such as: Feeding dynamics, how to feed, how to eat, weight concerns and raising children to be competent eaters. There is a small section for adults as well. http://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/

Resources

• Intuitive Eating Pros - Intuitive eating process, reconnecting with hunger and satiety cues. The companion book has as a section for parents to work with their children from. http://www.intuitiveeating.org/

Resources

• Eating Disorders Information Network http://www.myedin.org/
• The National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) http://nedc.com.au/
• The National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) http://nedic.ca

Resources

• Beyond Images - Self-esteem and body image curriculum. http://beyondimages.ca/
• Eating Disorders Information Network (EDIN) – Curriculum for elementary through high school and also for athletes. http://www.myedin.org/school-curriculum.html

References