Experts Weigh In On Childhood Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can affect both men and women; however, studies show younger children could also be at risk.

According to the latest numbers, 42% of girls between 1st and 3rd grades reported wanting to be thinner. Numbers show 80% of children as young as ten years old are afraid of gaining weight.

Lynn Matava is a nutritional wellness coach and suggests it could be due to what children are exposed to through media, but the growing epidemic could mirror what children are surrounded by at home or school.

“Kids listen to adults. If we’re saying things like, oh I’m so fat or worrying about how we look in a negative connotation then the kids are going to start to pick up on that and then they start to look at themselves that way, as well.” Explains Matava.

Experts also say, steps toward recovery could include family involvement. They say learning the importance of balance between healthy eating and staying active is crucial.