Eating Disorders and the Family

Photo: D Sharon Pruitt, Flickr

The latest diet and fitness news steadily grabs our attention. So many adult and young Americans struggle with weight issues, it's no wonder we're curious about the latest high-fiber cereal, fitness gadgets or whether or not we should keep flavored milk in the fridge. All this as millions face a much different challenge -- eating disorders.

Per the National Eating Disorders Association, 10 million females and one million males have an eating disorder in this country. Just yesterday the TODAY Show shared some of the fallout of eating disorders, including premature aging, osteoporosis, low blood pressure and heart problems. It's important to know more experts now believe family support is critical to teenss controlling their eating disorders, and that parents can play a major role in prevention.

One study of 80 bulimic teens revealed double the success rate for those in a treatment program that included family therapy. Another study of 32 teenage girls with anorexia found 75 percent in full remission three years post-treatment that, again, incorporated family therapy. Steps parents can take to support a teen recover include self-education about eating disorders, emotional support, avoiding denial and following directions outlined by the treatment team.

Whether you have young children, teenagers or grandchildren, check out 10 Things Parents Can Do to Prevent Eating Disorders over at NEDA. It forces you to examine your own attitudes and motivations surrounding diet and fitness, and how they might impact your children or grandchildren as they mature. The NEDA's Family & Friends resource section is also a helpful place to start.

Do you know your child's ideal body mass index? Try this BMI calculator for kids.