Teens and eating disorders: National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (NEDA)

February 26-March 3, 2012 is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. (NEDA)


The aim of NEDAwareness Week is to ultimately prevent eating disorders and body image issues while reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders and improving access to treatment. Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses - not choices - and it's important to recognize the pressures, attitudes and behaviors that shape the disorder.

Watch video.

Teens especially can become very self conscience of their body image and it is an issue parents need to recognize early.

What causes eating disorders in teenagers?


There is no one cause of an eating disorder. Experts link eating disorders to a combination of factors, such as family relationships, psychological problems, and genetics. The teen may have low self-esteem and be preoccupied with having a thin body.

Symptoms of eating disorders may include the following:

• A distorted body image
• Skipping most meals
• Unusual eating habits (such as eating thousands of calories at one meal or skipping meals)
• Frequent weighing
• Extreme weight change
• Insomnia
• Constipation
• Skin rash or dry skin
• Dental cavities
• Erosion of tooth enamel
• Loss of hair or nail quality
• Hyperactivity and high interest in exercise

Teens with eating disorders are often in denial that anything is wrong. They may be moody, anxious, depressed. They may withdraw from friends, and become overly sensitive to criticism. The problem arises when parents are not aware of these symptoms because the teen keeps them hidden -- just like the trauma, insecurities, depression, or low self-esteem that may help trigger the disorder.

Source: WebMD

NEDA has an excellent website full of educational information and resources.  Click here.

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Back to School: After School and Your Daughter

Yes, schools are opening throughout our country and another academic year with the normal peer pressure and stress of being a teenager.

What are you doing after school? Many girls will be hitting a transitional point in their lives in a few weeks. Some will attend new schools, some will be away from home for the first time and others could be leaving their summer loves….

Although women have made gains in education and employment in the equal rights war, they’re still losing the self-esteem war. Girls’ self-esteem peaks when they are about 9 years old, and then takes a nosedive. Although the media, peers, and pop culture influence children, parents still hold more sway than they think when it comes to having an impact on a daughter’s developing self-esteem.

Girls are faced with an onslaught of influences daily- most of them not the ones we’d like. In fact, a national survey of girls’ use of social media released by Girl Scouts of the USA (Who’s That Girl: Self Image in the 21st Century, 2010) finds that girls with low self-esteem are more likely to be susceptible to negative experiences on social networking sites than are girls with high self-esteem.

As parents and mentors, we want to help our daughters develop a strong sense of self, learn about the benefits of a balanced diet and physical activity, develop healthy relationships, promote confidence and well-being among While having fun.

Wondering how to enhance your daughter’s school year? The Girl Scouts’ flourishing new leadership program Journeys is at the core of the nearly 100-year-old organization’s transformation and a key benefit of this latest offering is building a strong sense of self. Building self-esteem does not happen overnight, but research shows that one way to accomplish this is through the development of leadership skills and competencies.

For more information go to www.girscouts.org!

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Sue Scheff: Self Esteem and Girls - It is as easy as buying a box of cookies!

Have you received the knock on your door? Have gone to do your grocery shopping and meet by moms and daughters selling Girl Scout cookies? What about your local Walmart? Almost everywhere the average person goes today until February 9th, you won't be able to miss the opportunity to not only buy these cookies we love (and we all have our favorites), you will have a chance to build a child's self- esteem.

It is not so much about the delicious cookies you will receive for your $3.50 a box, it is about making a young girl feel good. It is about contributing to an organization that is constantly working on teaching integrity, respect, responsibility and much more to young girls today.

South Florida Girl Scouts is one of many chapters that participate in many community service hours. They offer many fantastic activities and opportunities to meet new people and give back to your community. Watch video below.

Are you interested in joining, volunteering or finding out more about the Girl Scouts?

Discover - Connect - Take Action - Join now.... Click here for more information.

The Girl Scout Promise:

The Girl Scout Promise is shared by every member of Girl Scouting. The Girl Scout Promise is the way Girl Scouts agree to act every day toward one another and other people.

On my honor, I will try:
To serve God* and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

* The word "God" can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on one's spiritual beliefs. When reciting the Girl Scout Promise, it is okay to replace the word "God" with whatever word your spiritual beliefs dictate.

What is your favorite Girl Scout cookie? Please share with everyone in comments on Examiner.

My vote is for Thin Mints and Samoas.

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