What to Do if Your Child is Diagnosed with an Eating Disorder – Tips from and Eating Disorder Dietitian

Receiving a diagnosis of an eating disorder for your child can be overwhelming and upsetting. It’s crucial to remember that you are not alone, and there are steps you can take to support your child’s recovery.

1. Do Not Blame Yourself

It’s important to understand that eating disorders are complex mental health conditions with multiple contributing factors, including genetics, biological, psychological, environmental, and social influences. Parents do not cause eating disorders, and are actually in the position to be their child’s biggest supporters in recovery.  I encourage you to try and shift your focus to what you CAN do to support your child with the following tips. 

2. Schedule a Medical Exam

Eating disorders can have significant physical and psychological consequences. Scheduling a comprehensive medical evaluation is crucial to assess for any immediate health concerns and to monitor for potential complications. This may involve weight checks, blood tests, an electrocardiogram (ECG), vitals, and other necessary assessments. Please note, that you cannot tell the severity of an eating disorder by appearance or weight status, so even if your child has not had any weight loss or weight changes, it is important to get them assessed. I also encourage all parents to seek out pediatricians that are eating disorder-informed or practice from a Health at Every Size approach. If your current provider is not ED informed, you can still advocate for your child by requesting they not discuss weight in front of your child. 

3. Seek Professional Help

Eating disorders are challenging and complex. A multidisciplinary team approach is essential for effective treatment. This typically includes 

• A psychiatrist: for mental health assessment and medication management
• Therapist: for evidenced-based therapies including (cognitive-behavioral therapy, family-based therapy) and support.
• An eating disorder dietitian: For nutrition counseling, meal planning, and guidance towards developing a healthy relationship with food.
• A medical doctor: For ongoing medical monitoring and management of any physical health concerns.

4. Educate Yourself About Eating Disorders

Learning more about eating disorders from reliable sources can help you better understand your child’s experience and provide more compassionate and effective support. 

There are a number of resources available to gain an understanding of the specifics of support for children with eating. The following list is a place to start:

Books

• • Fat Talk by Virginia Sole Smith
  • The Parent’s Guide to Eating Disorders by Marcia Herrin

Podcasts

• • Burnt Toast Podcast by Virginia Sole Smith
  • Understanding Disordered Eating in Youth – CHC Voices of Compassion Podcast – Children’s Health Council
  • Supporting a Child Through an Eating Disorder with Holly Thorssen – Episode 85 of the Peace Meal Podcast

5. Create a Supportive Home Environment

There are some simple ways that you can foster a supportive space at home.

• Avoid diet talk, weight discussions, and any comments that may focus on appearance about your child or others, including yourself!
• Emphasize behaviors that promote overall health and well-being, focusing on activities and interests beyond physical appearance.
• Discuss food in a neutral way and avoid labeling foods “good” or “bad”
• Role model healthy eating patterns and eat meals together when possible
• Create calm and enjoyable mealtime environments. Consider trying table games or fun talking topics to promote an enjoyable family meal experience.
• Spend time together and connect outside of food and meal related activities, which may be stressful right now.

6. Get Support for Yourself

Feeding a family is hard. Feeding a child with an eating disorder can be emotionally and physically demanding. It is important to take care of yourself, so you can avoid burnout and better care for your child.

• Consider joining a support group for parents of children with eating disorders. This provides a safe space to share experiences, receive emotional support, and gain valuable insights from other parents. Courage to Nourish hosts a free virtual support group – click here to learn more.
• Consider therapy for yourself: Individual or family therapy can provide valuable tools for coping with stress, managing emotions, and improving communication within the family.
• Engage in self-care and accept support from others

Final Thoughts on What to Do if Your Child is Diagnosed with an Eating Disorder- Tips from and Eating Disorder Dietitian

Remember that you are not alone. With supportive care, a diagonsis is the first step to moving toward food freedom for your child.

• Recovery is possible. With the right support and treatment, your child can make a full recovery.
• Be patient and compassionate. Recovery is a journey, and there may be setbacks along the way.
• Celebrate successes. Acknowledge and celebrate your child’s progress, no matter how small.

Connect with Courage to Nourish Today

Courage to Nourish provides nutrition counseling and services for adolescents and teens. Reach out today for a complimentary discovery call to learn more and schedule an appointment, today!