PARENTING AND BODY IMAGE CANDACE MCARTHUR, LMSW THE TIMOTHY CENTER AUSTIN CENTER FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE

BODY-IMAGE RELATED DISORDERS ANOREXIA NERVOSA --Persistent restriction of energy intake leading to significantly low body weight (in context of what is minimally expected for age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health). --Either an intense fear of gaining weight or of becoming fat, or persistent behavior that interferes with weight gain (even though significantly low weight). --Disturbance in the way one's body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body shape and weight on self-evaluation, or persistent lack of recognition of the seriousness of the current low body weight. Subtypes: Restricting type Binge-eating/purging type

BULIMIA-NERVOSA Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following: --Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g. within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances. --A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g. a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating). --Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications, fasting, or excessive exercise. --The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least once a week for three months. --Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight. --The disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of Anorexia Nervosa.

BINGE EATING DISORDER --Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following: --Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g. within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances. --A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g. a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating). The binge eating episodes are associated with three or more of the following: ~eating much more rapidly than normal ~eating until feeling uncomfortably full ~eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry ~eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating ~feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed or very guilty afterward --Marked distress regarding binge eating is present --Binge eating occurs, on average, at least once a week for three months --Binge eating not associated with the recurrent use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors as in Bulimia Nervosa and does not occur exclusively during the course of Bulimia Nervosa, or Anorexia Nervosa methods to compensate for overeating, such as self-induced vomiting.

BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER --Preoccupation with an imagined defect in appearance. If a slight physical anomaly is present, the person's concern is markedly excessive. --The preoccupation causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. --The preoccupation is not better accounted for by another mental disorder(e.g., dissatisfaction with body shape and size in Anorexia Nervosa).

WHAT DOES THE WORLD SAY? The body type portrayed in ads as the ideal is possessed naturally by only 5% of American females. 47% of girls, 5-12 th grade reported wanting to lose weight because of magazine pictures.

SOME STATS… 91% of women surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight through dieting. 95% of those who have eating disorders are between the ages Almost 50% of people with eating disorders meet the criteria for depression. 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat.

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BODY-IMAGE RELATED SIGNALS Perfectionist tendencies Difficulty expressing emotions Low core self-esteem Obsessive Compulsive Tendencies Watch Food Preferences Secretive Behaviors NOT necessarily underweight!

HOW PARENTS CONTRIBUTE… Mom’s… what is your perception of your body? What is the talk around the dinner table about? How do you measure success for yourself and for your kids?

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR TEEN… 1.How do you feel about your body? 2.What do your friends say about their body’s? 3.What do you hear my saying about my body?

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT 1.Eat meals together 2.Agree to a healthy body-image 3.Reject the culture’s standards 4.Embrace God-given identity 5.Discuss societal pressures to be “perfect” or “thin” 6.Don’t just discuss food and weight… talk about feelings and relationships too. 7.Avoid threats, scare tactics, anger outbursts if child is engaged in behaviors 8.Remember it’s not your fault 9.What websites are your children looking at? 1.Pro –ana and pro –mia websites

SOME WEBSITES

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT BODY IMAGE? Psalm 139: 13-14: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, my soul knows it full well.” 1 Samuel 16:7: “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Proverbs 31:30: “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” 1 Peter 3:3-4: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should that of your inner spirit, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

NEXT STEPS… So what if you think your child has a body-image related issue (Eating Disorder, BDD?) -- Provide an open space for your kids to talk about what they might be feeling about food, their bodies, their weight. -- If you have noticed weight gain/loss, secretive behaviors, avoiding meals… schedule an appointment with dietitian, therapist and doctor (who specialized in Eating Disorders)

QUESTIONS 1.What are your thoughts about your body? 2.What habits do you children have about food? 3.How can you promote God-centered body image as opposed to World-centered?