With approximately 45 million Americans going on diets each year, some children are bound to be in the crosshairs of the diet-wellness industrial complex in this country.
When a parent is on a diet, food typically becomes a preoccupation—a central focal point of criticism and scrutiny—they may even become preoccupied with their child’s food intake.
Parents: be aware that dieting causes harm to a child’s brain development. Food restriction causes cognitive delays, behavioral issues, and even structural damage due to nutritional deficiencies.
Inadequate intake of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats can negatively impact a child’s brain development. Dieting can also stunt their growth, cause hormonal irregularities and psychological issues such as poor body image, low self-esteem, and eating disorders. It’s not worth the risk to force food restriction upon children’s developing bodies.
If you are concerned your child may be overweight, consult a professional trained in childhood nutrition. Don’t take it upon yourself to put them on a diet.
I highly recommend reading the blog archives of Katja Rowell, M.D. before going on a diet yourself.
Dieting is not personal.
Without realizing it, as a result of dieting, you may end up fostering an unhealthy relationship with food in your child—and preoccupation with food has become rampant in this country.
Dr. Rowell has great tips in order to prevent future food obsessions and struggles in your children.
Emily Boller, wife, mother, painter, and author is on a mission to create expressive works of art in her lifetime; and to bring awareness to the potentially harmful traps of diet-wellness culture. In her free time, she loves to chase sunrises, grow flowers and vegetables, and can homemade soups.