SHREVEPORT, La. - Gathering around the dinner table can bring feelings of warmth and excitement. But for those with a diagnosed eating disorder, it can bring feelings of stress and anxiety. If an adolescent with an eating disorder is visiting family members who may not understand these issues, it can help if parents prepare for these situations ahead of time.
Dr. Jennifer Seidenberg is a pediatrician who specializes in eating disorders and weight management at Ochsner LSU Health System in Provenance. She says, "don't mention anything about food or how much she's eating. Just don't make a big deal out of it or that family may decide to go ahead and eat something at home first and not really make the meal a big deal for that particular patient."
She also says it depends of what type of eating disorder the patient has and how sensitive they are to being around that kind of environment, too. "Ask relatives not to make any comments about appearance. If a patient has, especially anorexia. say they're in recovery and they have regained some of that lost weight, like, oh, you look great or you put on some weight. Those kind of comments can be so triggering and definitely are to be avoided," she explains.
Other tips include creating a quiet space for the adolescent to retreat if overwhelmed, suggesting fun activities like games or movies instead of focusing on food, encouraging family to respond kindly without pressure if food is refused, and watching for signs of distress, offering support as needed. She says, "I think if you just try to prepare family members ahead of time, it can be really helpful. this might be a stressful environment. Let's not mention food or make food a big deal."
By preparing in advance and fostering a supportive environment, families can help make the holiday season a more comfortable and positive experience for adolescents struggling with eating disorders.