Identifying and Preventing Eating Disorders

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

online conference transcript

Transcript from online Conference with: Holly Hoff on "Identifying and Preventing Eating Disorders" and Dr. Barton Blinder on "Understanding and Working Through Your Eating Disorder"

Bob M is the moderator.

BEGINNING

Bob M: Good evening everyone. I'm Bob McMillan, the moderator. I notice some new people here tonight...and I want to welcome everyone. As you know, this is Eating Disorders Awareness Week. We are doing many conferences on our site this week and you can find the schedule link at the entrance to the chatrooms when you log on. Our first guest tonight is Holly Hoff. Holly is the program coordinator for Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention Inc. It's a national non-profit group based in Seattle, Washington. EDAP is dedicated to increasing awareness of eating disorders in general and also the prevention of them. Good evening Holly and welcome to the Concerned Counseling website. I'd like to cover two specific topics that we get questions on all the time. The first one is prevention of an eating disorder. Is that possible?

Holly Hoff: I'm glad to be here tonight. Prevention is a main part of our business. Prevention and early detection are keys to working towards eliminating eating disorders altogether. We have programs at the elementary, high school and college levels that are aimed at awareness just for that reason.

Bob M: So how does one go about specifically preventing having an eating disorder.

Holly Hoff: We feel it's important for people to have correct information about some of the unlying causes of eating disorders. It's important to consider social, family, emotional, and physical elements. Each can lead to an eating disorder.

Bob M: What is the leading cause to developing an eating disorder?

Holly Hoff: We don't have a definite answer on that. Research is being done right now. It starts for some as a result of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. For others, it's pressure to be thin. It could be a result of feelings of inadequacy, depression, and loneliness. Troubled family and personal relationships can also play into it. One cause we work to fight is the social ideal of a perfect body, unrealistic images of beauty.

Bob M: I see more people coming in. We are talking with Holly Hoff, program coordinator for Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention, Inc. When do most people start experiencing an eating disorder? At what age? (eating disorder facts)

Holly Hoff: There are two typical ages of onset. Adolescence and then 18-20 years old. But they can certainly happen at anytime in a person's life. The earlier periods tend to be times of major change in a person's life. Change can often cause stress and eating disorders are often more than just about food. They can be reactions to difficult times in a person's life. These are also times when a person's body changes. That's a scary thing for some teens and unfortunately we're not often taught to expect or appreciate those changes and growth.

Bob M: I know we have some parents here tonight and friends of people who may be experiencing or starting to experience an eating disorder. What are they supposed to do to help?

Holly Hoff: It's important for them to learn about eating disorders. One way to do that is by calling our office at 206-382-3587 and we will send them eating disorders information. It is also important for these people to find support for themselves because it can be a difficult experience emotionally...dealing with someone who has an eating disorder. Express concerns in a calm and caring way. Encourage the person struggling to take responsibility for their actions and seek help for eating disorders. You can also be a good role model about food, weight, and body image issues.

Bob M: Now what do you mean by, be a good role model?

Holly Hoff: Avoid speaking negatively about their own bodies. Eat a variety of foods and eat in moderation and exercise for fun rather than strictly out of a sense of obligation. Avoid concentrating too much on other people's physical appearance, including size and shape.

Bob M: One other thing I want to add to that is, try and be non-judgmental and supportive. From talking with the many visitors on our site with eating disorders, that is something they really struggle with. They complain that their friends and relatives constantly criticize them for their eating disorder, rather than being supportive and helping them find the help they need. I know one of the visitors here refers to her boyfriend or husband as the "food cop"...always monitoring how much she is or isn't eating. So Holly, how does one approach someone with a suspected eating disorder with their concerns?

Holly Hoff: Honesty is important. I agree, being the "food cop" doesn't work. It forces many people into secretive eating. That is really counterproductive. Then they start lying about their situation. Express concerns and caring. Use statements like "I've noticed", "I see", "I feel". But remember, the person struggling with an eating disorder must take responsibility in order to change their behaviors.

Bob M: Here are some comments from the audience and then I'll post a few audience questions for Holly to answer.

Scout: One way of helping prevent eating disorders, in the thin sense, is do away with the thin models and use people with normal bodies.

Jo: Bob -- the person struggling must take responsibility -- very true -- but you aren't speaking to the fact that these problems were given to us as we were growing up. When do parents recognize they are doing these things to their children?