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[H277]Help Your Teenager Beat An Eating Disorder

by Nathan James, Nat

Acne is a common problem for teenagers, and most parents of those teens probably dealt with it themselves, to some degree. In most cases, the acne disappeared once the teenage years were past but this is little comfort to most teens in the midst of it now. As a parent, you need to provide moral support but also some good hard facts.

Now, just because you dealt with acne when you were a teen doesn't make you an expert. Treatments and medications have come a long way in the last few years. Knowing what is available today will let you help your child decide the best way to deal with their acne.

It's always a good idea to talk to a health care professional for advice. For one thing, a dermatologist can tell you for sure whether those spots are in fact acne. There are other skin conditions that look similar, but need to be treated differently.

Teenagers are usually embarrassed by their acne, so it might be a touchy subject to talk about. You'll know your teen best but it's important to be supportive and understanding. Never accuse them of bad habits that led to acne - the old myths about acne being caused by chocolate and greasy foods have been proven to be false.

It's likely that your teenager is trying everything possible to control their acne. If if they avoid talking about it, it's probably on their mind most of the time. It can affect their self image and in some cases can ultimately lead to depression and withdrawal.

Let them know that you're available and will do whatever you can to help them with their acne problem. It can sometimes help to talk about your own experiences if you dealt with it as a teen.

While it's probably small comfort to them, you can remind them that most teens deal with acne to some degree. Studies show that roughly 85% of adolescents have acne and up to 40% have a severe enough case to require dermatologist treatment.

Acne doesn't last forever - as your teen gets older it will most likely become less and less of a problem for them. By the time they reach their 20's, it will likely be a distant memory - at least until they have teenagers of their own!

Many times, the compulsive nature of the eating disorder will become obvious at the most early stages of the condition. It is during these early stages that intervention may be most possible.

Parents play a key role in preventing eating disorders in their children. As a parent, you are the most important role model for your children. Here are six ways that you can help prevent an eating disorder from developing in your family.

1. Be positive about your own body. Avoid making negative statements about your how you look. Children learn from you, and may begin to mirror your own dissatisfaction. Be aware that if you demonstrate preoccupation or excessive concern about your weight and physical appearance, your children may begin to mirror this behavior. Even if you cannot conquer your own weight obsession, try not to pass it on to your children.

2. If your child expresses concern about his or her weight, remind him that people come in all shapes and sizes. Remind him that physical appearance is not the most important thing about their identity, and that beauty is not necessarily defined by how thin they are.

3. Avoid the idea of 'being perfect.' Studies have shown that individuals who consider themselves perfectionists are more prone to developing an eating disorder. With this in mind, parents should not exert too much pressure on their children to be 'perfect'. While all parents should encourage their children to excel in many areas of life, they should refrain from pressuring their children into the role of sports star or student achiever. Parents should refrain from reigning in their own instinct to be a perfectionist; they can convey perfection anxieties in an unconscious manner to their own children.

4. Model healthy behavior for your children. Children absorb so much of what you say and do, even when you think they are not paying attention. Modeling healthy behavior means preparing healthy meals and getting some form of regular exercise. Teach your children to eat diverse kinds of foods, and to eat in moderation. Don't make them feel guilty for eating certain foods. Also, teach them that exercise need not be a chore, but can be something that is fun.

5. Be informed about the messages your children are receiving from peers, TV, movies, fashion magazines, and other influences in their life. Find out how your children are interpreting messages from their friends and the media. Discuss these messages with them. Many children and young adults receive their idea about beauty from media messages and peers. If this is the case, talk to your children about the unrealistic standards that these messages seem to convey, and work to counteract these messages.

Article Source : Pg. 38

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Both Nathan James & Scott Meyers are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Nathan James has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acne Treatment, Entertainment Guide and Online Business. Nathan James discusses various methods on the Acne Squad website. For more helpful information and to sign up for our free newsletter, v. Nathan James's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.

Scott Meyers has sinced written about articles on various topics from Diabetes Treatment, Health and Skin Care. Scott Meyers is a staff writer for , a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers. Scott Meyers's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.