Effects on Children

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2004
Effects on Children
3
Sat, 03-06-2004 - 9:18pm
Hi

I hope you don't mind, but I'm writing b/c my b/f ex-girlfriend has suffered from bulimia for about 10 years. In the recent past, she has improved, but I know she has days/weeks that are tough...but my question is this:

They have a 4 year old boy together and he splits time between our house and hers. We have fairly structured mealtimes, whereas she takes the "he'll eat when he's hungry approach"...which some may agree with. But what i'm really asking is this..."what potential affects can an eating disorder have on a child". He's very smart for his age, and not alot goes unnoticed. Sometimes he'll even comment on the fact that he has a "big belly" (he's 42 inches, and 50lbs). I tell him that it's not big...it's a healthy belly from the good foods he eats. I just want to make sure he grows up with a healthy self-image.

Thanks

Maryanne

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 03-07-2004 - 1:12am

Hi Maryanne,


Kids pick up on more stuff than we think and they can definitely pick up on the whole body image thing. If she talks about her body, being big, having a big belly, etc. in front of him, I can see how he would worry about his own body/size at an early age. And it can eventually lead to an ED - but of course this takes a while. I do tend to believe in the 'eating when hungry' approach.

Love & hugs, Kristina

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2004
Mon, 03-08-2004 - 4:48pm
but it's not wrong to have scheduled mealtimes...just don't force him to eat if he's not hungry, right? i think it should be "eat when he's hungry", but not "eat when he wants to". i think he'd go as long as possible w/o eating...he'd much rather play than be stuck at the table, even if he was hungry. and i think it's necessary for kids to have structure/routine.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 03-08-2004 - 5:08pm

Hi - yes, I totally agree with you and that's what I meant to say. If I had kids, I would definitely attempt to have structured meal times.


How are things going?

Love & hugs, Kristina


The opinions I have expressed here are from my own experience and are not intended as medical advice or to take the place of your own physician's advice.

Love & hugs, Kristina