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.
shuttle to Midway Beardstown .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareFat is fuel. That is basically what it is. A... Read More
One thing I really must say at the outset of... Read More
A metabolism drug like ephedrine, has shown many people how... Read More
This is the second article in the series, Weight Loss... Read More
As an employee of famous fitness star Kathy Smith, personal... Read More
In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work... Read More
What is a mini tummy tuck? Officially called a partial... Read More
Which is easier to do ? turn a car's steering... Read More
If you're taking a fiber supplement or eating a high... Read More
You see it all the time; people agonizing over their... Read More
Whenever I hear someone say they just can't lose weight,... Read More
Now that everything from a tan to pantyhose comes in... Read More
In order to identify hunger, you must first understand what... Read More
If you're always on a diet you probably spend half... Read More
1. Start Exercising first thing in the morning.As soon as... Read More
Weight loss from exercise can be achieved by walking, running,... Read More
The overweight and obesity epidemic is a worldwide problem. There... Read More
Is a weight loss workout routine right for you? Answer... Read More
Are you one of the many people who feel frustrated... Read More
Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More
We all know that losing weight and improving your overall... Read More
Reducing childhood obesity in the U.S. needs to be a... Read More
Have you ever wondered where destiny would lead you? Have... Read More
I asked my sister to come to my gym with... Read More
This Article was originally Published in The July 2004 Issue... Read More
Green Bay Hummer H2 SUV rentals ..It's common to respond to stress by distracting yourself with... Read More
You step on the scale and groan at the number... Read More
Yes Virginia, the fail-safe weight loss formula exists.It's so simple,... Read More
You have noticed your obese friend suddenly slimmer. You want... Read More
You see it all the time; people agonizing over their... Read More
When losing weight, most of us don't have the time... Read More
Are you working hard in the gym 3 times a... Read More
Have you seen the ditty below that's roaming the Internet... Read More
More likely than not a diet with end up a... Read More
Studies show that most Americans are fifteen percent fatter today... Read More
Weight Loss Axiom Number ThreeInsulin and GlucagonThese are the two... Read More
How was it for you? Did you get through the... Read More
Ephedra has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of... Read More
The incidences of deseases like obesity, diabetes, colon deseases etc.are... Read More
The holidays are definitely a special time of year. These... Read More
Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More
One of the hardest aspects of getting yourself into shape,... Read More
As I become acquainted with many of our LivingAfterWLS.com community... Read More
Close kept secrets to weight loss: Give me 9 days... Read More
If your low carb diet is going nowhere, maybe its... Read More
According to Veronica Atkins, the widow of Dr. Robert Atkins,... Read More
"I'd love to lose weight, but I don't have the... Read More
If you were going to travel to the other side... Read More
Eating the right foods and exercising regularly have been the... Read More
I am embarrassed to admit how many different commercial weight... Read More
Weight Loss |