As parents who've had gastric bypass we face many challenges raising a family. Perhaps an unexpected challenge is when a child develops an eating disorder that may be exacerbated by the parents dieting habits. It turns out as our children observe us diet and fail (repeatedly) before having gastric bypass, then they watch us lose weight in an almost obsessive excitement after weight loss surgery (WLS), some panic and vow "this will not happen to me." A descent into an eating disorder may follow.
According to AnorexiaBulimaHelp "Dieting or restriction of certain foods, or excessive dieting from parents" is a contributing factor in teen and pre-teen eating disorders. In addition "The appearance obsessed society most people live in can contribute to eating disorders . . . When combined with a low self-esteem, feelings of depression or anxiety or isolation, the effects can be devastating. Eating disorders commonly erupt as a coping mechanism, as a way for people to feel more "normal" and in control in a society that isn't really normal to begin with."
Wow. Are you worried? Growing up I watched my mother work her way up and down the scale many times. No need to name the diets she tried: we all tried them. I believe I learned from her that diet equals failure. It seems like every time she'd get to the benchmark, "this is the lowest weight I've been since having my first child" suddenly her weight loss would stop and back up the scale she'd climb at a rapid rate. She is morbidly obese today and no longer attempts dieting. Who can blame her?
Did she know that was the lesson she was teaching me? That eventually I'd "diet" myself into morbid obesity? I don't think so, and I don't blame her. She didn't know any better.
We know better today. It is our stewardship to our children to do the best we can to protect them, raise them healthy, and teach them healthy habits of nutrition and exercise. We owe it to our children to keep them off the operating table and out of eating disorder treatment centers.
But how to do that? By example and by being informed.
AnorexiaBulimaHelp.com is a comprehensive resource on eating disorders ? if you fear someone in your family is suffering from an eating disorder please visit this site. The site includes many links to several other resources about eating disorders.
Copyright ? 2005 Kaye Bailey - All Rights Reserved.
Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of http://www.livingafterwls.com and http://www.livingafterwls.com Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often.
weekly home cleaning Highland Park ..Here are some everyday, helpful hints to get you started,... Read More
One of the greatest tricks that I use to stick... Read More
It was bad enough hearing almost daily that obesity in... Read More
Low carb (carbohydrate), high protein diets are the latest ... Read More
A client wrote, "Help me! I thought I was finally... Read More
There are many factors that cause us to increase body... Read More
It is well known that about two-thirds of the U.S.... Read More
As the dieting phenomenon grows, with a new "diet guru"... Read More
Before you even think of taking diet pills to lose... Read More
Building a Perfect Body for Body Perfect Fitness and Health... Read More
Many of enjoy sitting down at Starbucks and enjoying a... Read More
If you have a protruding abdomen, loose skin as a... Read More
We all know that losing weight and improving your overall... Read More
While low-fat dieters and non-dieters may want to avoid chicken... Read More
Unfortunately, obesity is reaching epidemic proportions, with over 60% of... Read More
Repeat a lie often enough and people take it as... Read More
What does it take to lose weight?When it comes to... Read More
Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power.Your Inner... Read More
This is a layman marketer's observations on diets and weight... Read More
A "normal-tummy" looks at the food pyramid from the bottom... Read More
When it comes to weight loss, most of us would... Read More
The long marginalized San tribe of South Africa has suddenly... Read More
What is a mini tummy tuck? Officially called a partial... Read More
1. Become aware of what you are eating.Before I started... Read More
Dieting Dilemma No 1: When Life Gets in the WayThat... Read More
whole house cleaning Park Ridge ..Include in your diet things that contain more water like... Read More
If you are like everyone else who has hit rock... Read More
Have you ever wondered how actors stay in such great... Read More
Acupuncture for weight loss is a modern application of this... Read More
Spring is here and swimsuit weather is just around the... Read More
WHAT DOES BEING FIT REALLY MEAN?The "INSIDE-OUT" approach to fitness... Read More
Americans have their French fries, the British have their chips,... Read More
It's definitely no fun to lose weight -- put it... Read More
I want to make this perfectly clear, fruits are healthy... Read More
Which is easier to do ? turn a car's steering... Read More
I personal lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some... Read More
In the battle to look good, there's a cosmetic treatment... Read More
What is "too young" to begin a weight loss program... Read More
To continue the educational series on your health and fitness... Read More
There are lots of dieters, trying every sort of plan... Read More
CancerCoronary heart diseaseStrokeOsteoporosisMajor Depression from Brain StarvationHeadlines.WASHINGTON, Jun 22, 2004... Read More
"I am going to start a diet tomorrow". How many... Read More
Have you ever just felt like you were doing everything... Read More
Water is an essential component of the human body and... Read More
Everyone who has ever tried to lose weight has hit... Read More
1. What is Atkins Diet? Dr. Atkins diet, first introduced... Read More
Got milk? New research suggests you should if you want... Read More
Contrary to common belief, your weight is not really the... Read More
You won't believe what happened to me today!I was getting... Read More
Twenty years ago, I did not expect to accomplish what... Read More
Weight Loss |