eating disorder Summer Programs For Teenagers and College Students
With 95% of those with eating disorders being between the ages of 12 and 25 (SAMHSA), it is important to have knowledge on how to detect and best support a teen or young adult that may be engaging in disordered behaviors or has developed an eating disorder. If you are a parent or a caretaker of someone who you believe is struggling, you may be wondering what are some signs and symptoms that there is an issue that needs to be intervened on.
First things first, eating disorders are complex illnesses and have many contributing factors including psychological, biological and social factors. So whether or not your loved one has struggled with food or body image in the past, adolescence can be a time where they become vulnerable to developing an disordered eating patterns.
Why Teenagers Are Susceptible To Developing Eating Disorders
Although an eating disorder can develop at any point in ones life, teens can be extremely susceptible to engaging in disordered eating behaviors. According to one study, over one half of teenage girls and nearly one third of teenage boys reported engaging in unhealthy weight control behaviors. The pressure to control or lose weight or becoming preoccupied with body size or appearance can be a result of many things. Some potential triggers could include messages from the media, certain activities they are involved in that have a focus on appearance or weight, or being exposed to dieting at a young age. Disordered behaviors that they are engaging in may be their way to cope with family stress, academic stress, bullying, peer pressure and other distressing circumstances they are feeling overwhelmed by.
Why College Students Are Susceptible to Developing Eating Disorders
Often times college students may return home exhibiting behaviors that may indicate a struggle around food, weight and body. This does not come as a surprise with full blown eating disorders typically begin between 18 and 21 years of age (Hudson, 2007).
Starting college comes with many changes as it is a time where students are exposed to freedom and independence for the first time, especially around food choices if they are no longer living at home. This can be a difficult challenge if there are weight and body image concerns affecting their relationship with food. Along with that, college can be a big transition and potentially stressful between balancing academic, social and/or athletic demands. These stressors and responsibilities can become a major trigger to begin using eating disordered behaviors or if the student is predisposed to developing anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder.
How To Know If It Is A Problem
In our society there is often a normalized focus on food and weight so it can be hard to tell when these seemingly ’normal’ behaviors have become something more. There are a number of signs indicating that dieting and weight concerns have taken a more serious turn, and may have manifested into an eating disorder. For a child who has been reducing calories, skipping meals, avoiding certain foods or going long periods of time without food, there may be an evident weight decrease – but this is not always the case.
How To Help
There are several things a parent or caretaker can do to help their child toward recovery. First, gently and with great empathy and concern, you can try to express your concern to your child and see if they are willing to talk about what might be going on. Note – most people have shame around their disordered eating or eating disorder and they may deny that there is a problem.
Be prepared that your child may become angry upon brining the topic up. But in the long run, if they are able to get help, they will be forever grateful to you that you saw the signs and did something to help them when perhaps they couldn’t do that for themselves.
Lastly, aiding in getting your child professional help is absolutely crucial. Those struggling with eating disorders can greatly benefit from seeking professional help along with the support of family and loved ones. With the right support and treatment, your child find health and long-lasting recovery.
Summer Recovery Support at BALANCE
Pursue recovery when you need it the most with BALANCE’s Summer Eating Disorder Treatment Program. This program will allow you to reduce eating disorder thoughts and behaviors, gain tools to navigate the pressures the summer months bring, foster community with specialized groups, and more. Click here to learn more about our Summer Eating Disorder Treatment Program.
