What is Anorexia
Anorexia is a mental health issue where the person has an unhealthy body image perception of themselves. The person has a low body weight that is considered unhealthy and holds unrealistic views of his or her body weight and shape. Anorexia is the most common eating disorder and involves limiting the amount of food a person eats to an extreme. Recovery is possible but not without some sort of intervention be it a combination of a hospital stay, medication and/or therapy. (Mayo Clinic. 2023)
Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia
1. Checking body weight constantly
2. Fear of gaining weight
3. Thinking you are overweight but you are skinny
4. Limiting food intake or avoiding certain foods high in carbohydrates or fat
5. Extreme amount of exercising
6. Denial of hunger pains
7. Changed eating behaviors or obsession over calorie intake
8. Feeling extremely tired
9. Hair loss, dry skin, yellowish tinge to complexion
10. Mood changes
11. Withdrawn from social life
12. Depression or anxiety
(Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2025)
There is Hope for Recovery
Focusing on activities that build self esteem, promote relaxation and avoid a fixation on body image will help your child. Such activities could include gardening, volunteering to work with animals or academic competitions. Combine individual therapy, helps parent and children connect and heal (John Hopkins Medicine. 2025).
OUR STORY OF SUPPORT
Support for Parents with Kids with Anorexia is a dedicated project aiming to empower parents facing the challenges of anorexia in their children. we provide crucial resources, guidance, and a nurturing community to assist parents in supporting their kids effectively.
References
1. Anorexia and other eating disorders: how to help your child eat well and be well. https://ca.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video? fr=mcafee&p=resources+for+parents+with+kids+who+have+anorexia&type=E211CA885G0#id=2&vid=d1c28d603d6d37033a5e98b8ed54bc98&action=click
2. Bel, Isa. 2022. 7 ways my parents can support me in anorexia recovery. The mighty. https://themighty.com/topic/anorexia-nervosa/parents- support-child-kid-anorexia-recovery/
3. Couturier, Jennifer., Isserlin, Leanna., Norris, Mark., Spettigue, Wendy., Brouwers, Melissa., Kimber, Melissa., McVey, Gail., Webb, Cheryl., Findlay, Sheri., Bhatnager, Neera., Snelgrove, Natasha., Ritsma, Amanda., Preskow, Wendy., Miller, Catherine., Coelho, Jennifer., Boachie, Ahmed., Steinegger, Cathleen., Loewen, Rachel., Loewen, Techiya.,...Pilon, David. 2020. Canadian practice guidlines for the treatment of children and adolescents with eating disorders. Jouurnal of eating disorders. https://ruor.uottawa.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/72eabdef-f9ec-48db-a364-dd5a070d6f48/content
4. Johns Hopkins Medicine. 2025. Anorexia nervosa. Johns Hopkins Medicine. org. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/eating-disorders/anorexia-nervosa
5. Mayo Clinic. 2023. Eating disorders. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eating-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20353603
6. Musby, Eva. 2024. Helping you free your child of an eating disorder. https://anorexiafamily.com/parent-support-groups-eating-disorders/
7. National eating disorders association. n.d. Parent tool kit. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/sites/default/files/Toolkits/ParentToolkit.pdf
8..Understanding anorexia nervosa: symptoms, causes and treatments. https://ca.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video? fr=mcafee&p=video+about+anorexia+nervosa&type=E211CA885G0#id=3&vid=7e09dd2a20e55e8d28ddb5503cb91090&action=click
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