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Educational Resources for Teachers to Identify Students with Eating Disorders
Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Director of Content and Social Media at Eating Disorder Hope
While eating disorders to not discriminate based on age, gender or any other factors, these mental illnesses are increasingly seen in adolescent and school-aged children.
It is estimated that 35-55% of adolescent girls engage in various forms of disordered eating and eating disorder behaviors, such as crash dieting, use of diet pills and/or laxatives, self-induced vomiting, fasting, and more.
It has also been observed that adolescent girls who are overweight are more likely to engage in extreme dieting behaviors [1].
Understanding the Risk Factors
School-aged children and adolescents may face environmental stressors that can create an increased risk for developing an eating disorder. A child who may be predisposed to developing an eating disorder may be even more vulnerable to environmental stressors exposed in a school setting.
This may include bullying episodes, peer pressure, social factors, and more. During a time of life that may be difficult for many school-aged children, teachers can play an instrumental role is identifying eating disorders.
Resources for Teachers
When it comes to eating disorders, many teachers may feel uncomfortable approaching this subject, especially with students. However, teachers have the potential to be in a life-saving role, especially in assisting with early identification of abnormal behaviors.
As a teacher, it may be helpful to be educated about some of the basic signs and symptoms of eating disorders. Practicing awareness in the classroom can also be helpful for picking up on any problematic behaviors.
If a child demonstrates repetitive difficulty with eating, isolates during meal time, frequents the bathroom after meals, is heard body shaming or displays food rituals, this may be indications that a more problematic issue is at hand.
As a teacher, it is also important to be aware of the mental health resources that might be available on campus for students. Being able to provide a student with appropriate resources for additional help can also be instrumental in connecting to treatment.
Eating Disorder Hope offers a variety of educational resources that may be helpful for a teacher seeking more in depth information about resources about eating disorders.
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
How Can Teachers be Helpful in Early Recognition and Treatment of Eating Disorders?
References:
[1]: Boutelle, K., Neumark-Sztainer, D.,Story, M., &Resnick, M. (2002).Weight control behaviors among obese, overweight, and nonoverweight adolescents. Journal of Pediatric Psychology,27, 531-540.
About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating.
Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.
As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on July 13, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
