How do I recognize if my teen is suffering from an eating problem? Unfortunately, most people, especially children, are good at hiding the symptoms related to eating problems. But below are some signs that should help.
1. The color of their skin. Does it have a healthy glow or is it dull and pale?
2. Eyes - are they bright or dull?
3. Hair - It is full and shiny or has it become dull, flat and thinning?
4. Legs and Arms - Have they got good tone, or do they look just like skin and bone?
5. Have their energy levels decreased?
6. Teenage Girls - Has their menstrual cycle altered in any way?
There are other ways in which bulimia may be diagnosed. Because a teenager will be forcing themselves to bring up the food which they have eaten, they develop cavities near the gum line. So if you can discreetly watch their bathroom habits, are they constantly going to the bathroom after they have eaten in order to purge the food from their body? Do they brush their teeth often because they want to make themselves sick or have they loose stools and stomach cramps because they are taking laxatives?
Those teenagers who are suffering from anorexia will often play with the food on their plate, or say they are not hungry or that they earlier when they were out with their friends. Others may well skip breakfast and just grab something on the way school, or they won’t take the lunch that you have prepared for them to school…or if they do, they throw away as soon as you are out of sight. Discreetly check with the school to see if they are eating meals at school, and if you are able to, speak to their friends and find out what, if anything, they are eating when they are with them. However, it is important that you do not pry too much, or it will lead to them only hiding the problem from you even more.
If you are able to, monitor what they are reading and logging onto on the internet.
For many teens, they will deny that they have a problem where eating is concerned. Parents must find a way to get past the idea that there is nothing troubling the teen, and that they go through stages when they don’t like certain foods or they will avoid eating a meal with the family. However, if you are reading this chapter and you see things in it which seem familiar in relation to your teen, then it may be worth taking a further look at your teen’s lifestyle.
Today, there is a lot of pressure being put on teens to become vegetarians, and some vegetarians will allow fish as part of their diets. This is okay as this provides the necessary nutrients, Vitamin B12, zinc and iron, which a teen will need while they are growing. However, it is wise to show them which fish are the best to eat more often, and which they should eat less of.
It is the teens who give up meat and fish altogether that a parent should be concerned about. Protein is important for us to grow, maintain healthy muscles, skin, hair and good health. The best source for protein is from animals, and those teens who give up this source will need to get it from other areas, such as through vitamin supplements. Studies carried out claim that the quantity of nutrition provided by pills is not the same, or as good as they would get from animal sources.
About the Author:
This article was written by Miss. Britney Anna, a Author at UniqueArticlesDirectory.com. You can read all Miss. Amitha Laila teenagers weight loss articles teenagers weight loss I article series and teenagers weight loss II article series. Miss. Britney Anna love to write any article related to teenagers weight loss.
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