By Gerry Lampow, My Lloydminster Now
Eating habits can be affected by the anxiety of returning to or changing schools.
In pointing that out, the Eating Disorder Support Network of Alberta (EDSNA) cites a 2012 study in the Journal of Clinical Nursing that looked at significant life changes, including changing schools and moving, and found these were connected to the start of eating disorders. EDSNA says this is seen with students in their teens and in their college years.
Also, the National Institute of Mental Health says 2.7 per cent of teens will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime and a 2013 National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) survey estimated that between 10-20 per cent of women and 4-10 per cent of men in college suffer from an eating disorder.
Angie Mellen acting director with EDSNA sees the stress of just going back to school and says help is available.
“People going back to school might experience symptoms related to an eating disorder or disordered eating. If you are, there is support available. We are here to support not only people experiencing it, but their caregivers or parents of loved ones. We really want people to know that if you are going through this, there is help available.”
Mellen says kids even at the elementary school level may fall into this category. She lists some of the triggers:
- Lack of access to a variety of foods
- Unstructured mealtimes
- Academic pressure
- Peer pressure and bullying
- Sports and athletics
- Changes at puberty
- Social media
- New independence in college and university
- Change of routine from summer mode to back to school
- Financial pressure
On the prevention side, Mellen suggests some tips for parents.
“You really want to model that healthy body image – those behaviours that are really positive. You don’t want to be labelling foods good or bad. You want to encourage movement for joy and having fun and not for punishment to earn food.”
Mellen underscores to reach out to supports that are available at school and to model healthy eating habits starting with the enjoyment of all foods.
More information is available on the Eating Disorder Support Network of Alberta website.