Self-esteem is a person's unconditional appreciation of themselves. Unconditional appreciation means accepting ourselves as we are, including our body, our feelings and our abilities. It means going beyond body image and recognizing our fundamental worth as a human being.

Teens struggling with an eating disorder use the disorder as a way of coping with feelings that make them unhappy or depressed. An eating disorder is a sign that they need help learning healthy ways of coping with life and sorting out personal problems.

It's not unusual for a teen to struggle with self-esteem issues, but is your child struggling to the point that they're compensating with an eating disorder? Take a moment to think about your teen's attitudes and behaviors. Many times parents have no clue their teen is crying out for help.

According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), over 8 million people in the United States suffer from an eating disorder.

How can you tell if your teen is suffering? Take a moment to consider some signs of an eating disorder. Do you notice any of the following?

• excessive exercise
• a preoccupation with weight, food and dieting
• consistently complaining about being fat
• frequently comparing their body with others
• have anxiety about being fat that doesn't diminish with weight loss
• vomit, or there's unexplained messes or smells in the bathroom
• evidence of laxatives, diuretics, diet pills (maybe product wrappers in the trash)
• hoarding or stealing food
• consumption of large amounts of food inconsistent with their weight
• perfectionist thinking
• fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness
• unusual puffiness or redness around eyes (from purging, binge eating and overeating)
• refusal to eat meals with the family
• food ritual (rigid rules about eating food in sequence or making sure foods don't touch)
• swelling of the glands near the ear (inflammation of the saliva glands)
• unexplained hyperactivity
• reduced menstrual periods

What could push your teen into an eating disorder?

• low self-esteem, inadequacy, anxiety
• abuse (verbal, physical, sexual)
• being overweight
• social anxiety
• family or parenting pressure; pressure in school; pressure in sports
• feeling helpless or out of control
• family history of eating disorders

Although boys and girls both struggle with eating disorders, a girl's identity and self-worth can become closely tied with weight loss. For boys, a certain weight may be a goal to meet in order to do well athletically.

ANAD states that one out of 10 individuals with an eating disorder is male.

Pressure can't be removed nor can low self-esteem be raised by dieting or weight loss. It's simply a way of coping with a problem from the outside, rather than the inside, of the person. What parents often consider normal teenage behavior could be signs of an eating disorder.

Don't dismiss your suspicions or concerns and don't delay. Eating disorders are serious, have lasting consequences, and can be deadly. Consult with a qualified professional as soon as possible.


If your family is struggling with this issue, or if you'd like to suggest a topic for another column, e-mail Kim at kschafer@insidescv.com.