Ask Joanna

Joanna answers your questions...

Question: Is my child’s eating disorder my fault?

"No. An eating disorder is not anyone’s fault. It’s important to remember that an eating disorder is a coping mechanism for your child to help create some control because s/he is feeling out of control. Do you need to be involved in your child’s recovery? Yes. Research increasingly points to family involvement in a child’s recovery as the single best predictor of a positive outcome. " Read More

Question: Why won’t s/he just eat?

"Eating disorders are not just about food; they are far more complicated. This can be a difficult concept to grasp because it contradicts what appears to be the only problem: “If only you’d just eat something!” An eating disorder is really about gaining some kind of control in a world that, sometimes for reasons that won’t seem apparent, feels very out of control. The eating disorder becomes a coping mechanism to take some control back. Controlling the food you eat and what you will and will not take into your body can feel very powerful." Read More

Question: With summer approaching, I find myself comparing my body to others. I seem to really struggle when I see skimpy clothing advertisements and conversations about body image begin to surface. How can I get myself to stop this comparing habit?

"Comparing is a difficult habit to break because it’s natural to observe others when in our environment.  What is most important is tackling the automatic negative thoughts you have about yourself when you go out.  First, know that you are part of a beautiful, vast, and diverse world that is yours to appreciate.  Notice how … Read More" Read More

Question: What’s the difference between an eating disorder and disordered eating?

"Eating disorders and disordered eating share very common symptoms but are not the same. Some common symptoms include: A preoccupation with weight and/or body shape Yo-yo dieting Overexercising Fasting and/or restricting Compulsive overeating Purging and/or laxative use While there may be some commonalities, disordered eating is made up of a range of thoughts, feelings, and … Read More" Read More

Question: My child seems to eat healthy food but s/he is losing weight. Should I be worried?

"It depends. Sometimes a change in diet, even to what seem to be healthy foods, can be an indicator of disordered eating, but it isn’t always. For instance, a child who suddenly declares s/he is Vegan could just be using that as an excuse to explain away what is really happening, which may be that she is engaging in unhealthy calorie restriction. With a closer look, you may notice that your child is restricting the healthy foods she eats and really not getting the well-rounded nutrients s/he needs for healthy body growth and maintenance." Read More

Question: What role does the media play in causing eating disorders?

"We are constantly bombarded with images from the media that show us a narrow picture of what it looks like to be cool, successful, and attractive. We are exposed to these messages more than ever before — through the Internet, TV advertisements, magazines, and social media. Models, actors, and celebrities are used to portray an … Read More" Read More

Question: Do eating disorders impact men and boys?

"Yes!  Eating disorders do not discriminate! They can impact females and males of any background, class, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. People anywhere from youth to seniors can have eating disorders. Like females, there is a distorted sense of body image. Some men and boys with an eating disorder want to lose weight, while others want to … Read More" Read More

Question: My child seems to eat healthy food but s/he is gaining weight. Should I be worried?

"Weight fluctuation is a healthy part of growing up. A teenager needs more calories during times of rapid growth (i.e. puberty). If your child eats when hungry and stops when satisfied, then s/he will learn to eat according to internal hunger and fullness cues. It is important to know that children gain weight in advance of the rapid growth period that occurs during puberty, and that this weight gain is quite normal. " Read More

Question: As a parent, how involved should I be?

"Eating disorders are a family problem, and there is growing evidence to suggest that family involvement is crucial to recovery – for everyone. " Read More

Question: Is my child’s eating disorder just a phase? Will they snap out of it at some point?

"Whether it is or not, you still don’t want to ignore the signs that are there." Read More