Prevention

There's no sure way to prevent eating disorders, but you can take steps to develop healthy eating
habits. If you have a child, you can help your child lower the risk of developing eating disorders.

Adults

To develop healthy eating habits and lifestyle behaviors:

● Choose a healthy diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Limit
salt, sugar, alcohol, saturated fat and trans fats. Avoid extreme dieting. If
you need to lose weight, talk to your health care provider or a dietitian to
create a plan that meets your needs.
● Don't use dietary supplements, laxatives or herbal products for weight
loss.
● Get enough physical activity. Each week, get at least 150 minutes of
aerobic activity, such as brisk walking. Choose activities that you enjoy,
so you're more likely to do them.
● Seek help for mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, or
issues with self-esteem and body image.

For more guidelines on food and nutrition, as well as physical activity, go to health.gov.

Talk to a health care provider if you have concerns about your eating behaviors. Getting treatment
early can prevent the problem from getting worse.

Children

Here are some ways to help your child develop healthy-eating behaviors:

● Avoid dieting around your child. Family dining habits may influence
the relationships children develop with food. Eating meals together gives
you an opportunity to teach your child about the pitfalls of dieting. It also
allows you to see whether your child is eating enough food and enough
variety.
 ● Talk to your child. There are many websites and other social media
sites that promote dangerous ideas, such as viewing anorexia as a
lifestyle choice rather than an eating disorder. Some sites encourage
teens to start dieting. It's important to correct any wrong ideas like this.
Talk to your child about the risks of making unhealthy eating choices.
● Encourage and reinforce a healthy body image in your child,
whatever their shape or size. Talk to your child about self-image and
offer reassurance that body shapes can vary. Don't criticize your own
body in front of your child. Messages of acceptance and respect can help
build healthy self-esteem. They also can build resilience ⸺ the ability
to recover quickly from difficult events. These skills can help children get
through the challenging times of the teen and young adult years.
● Ask your child's health care provider for help. At well-child visits,
health care providers may be able to identify early signs of an eating
disorder. They can ask children questions about their eating habits.
These visits can include checks of height and weight percentiles and
body mass index, which can alert you and your child's provider to any big
changes.

Reach out to help

If you notice a family member or friend who seems to show signs of an eating disorder, consider
talking to that person about your concern for their well-being. You may not be able to prevent an
eating disorder from developing, but reaching out with compassion may encourage the person to seek
treatment.

Prevention
We can all help to prevent eating disorders. There are many different ways
to bring about powerful and positive changes in your home, workplace,
school – anywhere!
Here are a few ideas that you can use today to help prevent eating
disorders:

● Take steps to learn more about eating disorders and how to prevent
them.
● Speak out about the “thin ideal” and the negative impact it can have.
● Be a positive role model and choose to live a healthy, well-rounded
lifestyle.
● Recognize that health and well-being comes in all shapes and sizes.
● Become aware of the factors that can contribute to the development
of eating disorders.
● Do not engage in “fat” talk! Change the conversation or remind
yourself not to use it.
● Start to notice and to question the messaging about “beauty” and
“ideal body types” that we all receive daily from the media and the
people around us. Refuse to accept what the media presents as
“beautiful”.
● Talk to all people about eating disorders and unhealthy attitudes or
activities.
● Help others to develop self-esteem based on qualities other than
physical appearance.
● Get rid of your scale! Numbers can be deceiving and are only one
piece of information.
● Avoid calling a food “good” or “bad.” Food is just food.
● Avoid terms like “junk food”. Consider “treat” or “sometimes” foods.
● Teach others that their self-worth is not related to how they look or
how they eat.
● Get rid of your diet!
● Criticize the culture that promotes unhealthy body image. Do not
criticize yourself.
 ● Be aware of advertising, toys, television shows, or even clothing
store ads which only show an ‘ideal’ body shape.
● Model positive behaviour towards eating including the social benefits
of eating together, enjoyment of eating, and the excitement of trying
new foods.
● Help parents and teachers to think about their own attitudes. Their
behaviour, language, eating and physical activities influence children
immensely.
● Make time and space for meals at school or the workplace. Model
taking breaks to eat to those around you.
● Empower others to feel good about themselves for who they are, not
how they look.
● Promote understanding of the natural gain in weight that happens
during puberty.
● Encourage self-awareness and critical thinking skills.
● Provide others with alternative images of healthy bodies.
● Help those around you to interpret and apply messaging from other
areas of health, such as obesity prevention, healthy lifestyle habits.
● Families can nurture healthy eating habits and encourage children to
have positive relationships with food: From managing picky eating at
mealtimes and taking the pressure off everyone, to promoting a
positive body image, parents and caregivers will find practical tips
and resources on the Kelty Mental Health website to eating well.

Why is eating disorder awareness important?

With stereotypes and distorted images portrayed by the media, it can be
challenging to understand what eating disorders are. Therefore, being
educated about the different types of disorders and possible eating disorder
characteristics can be beneficial in increasing awareness of these
complicated conditions.

Increasing awareness can lead to preventing eating disorders, early

intervention, and early treatment. Plus, being better informed about eating
disorders can increase empathy for those struggling while decreasing the
stigma often common with these mental illnesses.

Eating Disorder Awareness Week

When people have a problematic relationship with food, exercise, body
image, and appearance, their shame can stop them from getting the help
they need.

Each year, during the last week of February, the National Eating Disorders
Association (NEDA) aims to increase awareness of eating disorders,
educate the public about what signs and symptoms to look for, and identify
resources and how to find help through Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

Each year features a different theme to prompt conversation and promote

the importance of getting help when an eating disorder is suspected.

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Access to healthcare and support is crucial for preventing and addressing eating disorders. Here are
some key points related to this topic:

1. Comprehensive Healthcare Services

 ​ Routine Screenings: Regular check-ups should include screenings for mental health and
eating disorders.

​ Integrated Care: Collaboration between primary care providers, mental health professionals,
and dietitians ensures a holistic approach.

2. Mental Health Resources

​ Therapy Options: Access to various forms of therapy (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy,

family therapy) tailored to eating disorders.

​ Support Groups: Community and online support groups for individuals and families affected
by eating disorders.

3. Nutrition Education

​ Dietitian Access: Availability of registered dietitians who specialize in eating disorders to

provide tailored nutritional guidance.
 ​ Workshops and Programs: Educational workshops on healthy eating habits and the impact of
nutrition on mental health.

4. Community Support Services

​ Hotlines and Helplines: Confidential support for individuals in crisis or seeking information
about eating disorders.

​ Local Resources: Information about local organizations that offer support and treatment
options.

5. Insurance Coverage

​ Insurance Policies: Advocacy for insurance policies that cover mental health and eating
disorder treatments.

​ Policy Changes: Encouraging policy changes that require equal treatment for mental health
and physical health issues.
6. Education and Training

​ Provider Training: Ensuring healthcare providers are trained to recognize signs of eating
disorders and provide appropriate referrals.

​ Public Awareness Campaigns: Promoting awareness about eating disorders to destigmatize

seeking help.

7. Crisis Intervention Services

​ Emergency Services: Access to crisis intervention for severe cases, including hospitalization
if necessary.

​ Crisis Plans: Development of individualized crisis plans to help manage acute situations.

8. Online Resources and Telehealth

 ​ Telehealth Options: Expanding access through telehealth for therapy and nutritional
counseling, especially in underserved areas.

​ Online Support Groups: Virtual platforms for connecting with others experiencing similar
challenges.

9. Parental and Family Involvement

​ Family Education: Resources and support tailored for families to understand and support
loved ones with eating disorders.

​ Family Therapy Options: Access to family-based therapies that involve the whole family in the
recovery process.

10. Advocacy for Policy Change

 ​ Mental Health Advocacy: Support initiatives that push for better access to mental health care
and eating disorder treatment.

​ Community Engagement: Involvement in community efforts to create environments that

promote health and well-being.

Conclusion

Access to healthcare and support is vital for the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. By
ensuring comprehensive services, education, and advocacy, we can help individuals affected by these
disorders find the help they need.

**Access to Health Care and Support** refers to the availability and ability of individuals to obtain
necessary medical services and emotional assistance. This includes:

Availability of Services: Access to hospitals, clinics, and mental health professionals for physical and
psychological care.

Affordability: The cost of health care services should be manageable, often supported by insurance or
community resources.

​
Accessibility: Services should be geographically and physically accessible, including transportation
options for those who need it.

Cultural Competence: Health care providers should understand and respect diverse cultural
backgrounds and needs.

Support Systems: Access to support groups, counseling, and community resources that provide
emotional and social support.

Ensuring these elements are in place is crucial for promoting overall health and well-being, particularly
for individuals facing mental health challenges or chronic conditions.