Weight Loss Information

Children of Gastric Bypass Patients at Risk for Eating Disorders


As parents who've had gastric bypass we face many challenges raising a family. Perhaps an unexpected challenge is when a child develops an eating disorder that may be exacerbated by the parents dieting habits. It turns out as our children observe us diet and fail (repeatedly) before having gastric bypass, then they watch us lose weight in an almost obsessive excitement after weight loss surgery (WLS), some panic and vow "this will not happen to me." A descent into an eating disorder may follow.

According to AnorexiaBulimaHelp "Dieting or restriction of certain foods, or excessive dieting from parents" is a contributing factor in teen and pre-teen eating disorders. In addition "The appearance obsessed society most people live in can contribute to eating disorders . . . When combined with a low self-esteem, feelings of depression or anxiety or isolation, the effects can be devastating. Eating disorders commonly erupt as a coping mechanism, as a way for people to feel more "normal" and in control in a society that isn't really normal to begin with."

Wow. Are you worried? Growing up I watched my mother work her way up and down the scale many times. No need to name the diets she tried: we all tried them. I believe I learned from her that diet equals failure. It seems like every time she'd get to the benchmark, "this is the lowest weight I've been since having my first child" suddenly her weight loss would stop and back up the scale she'd climb at a rapid rate. She is morbidly obese today and no longer attempts dieting. Who can blame her?

Did she know that was the lesson she was teaching me? That eventually I'd "diet" myself into morbid obesity? I don't think so, and I don't blame her. She didn't know any better.

We know better today. It is our stewardship to our children to do the best we can to protect them, raise them healthy, and teach them healthy habits of nutrition and exercise. We owe it to our children to keep them off the operating table and out of eating disorder treatment centers.

But how to do that? By example and by being informed.

AnorexiaBulimaHelp.com is a comprehensive resource on eating disorders - if you fear someone in your family is suffering from an eating disorder please visit this site. The site includes many links to several other resources about eating disorders.

Copyright © 2005 Kaye Bailey - All Rights Reserved.

Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of http://www.livingafterwls.com and http://www.livingafterwls.blogspot.com Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often.


MORE RESOURCES:

TheMedGuru

Weight-loss surgery bodes well for pregnancy
Los Angeles Times, CA - Nov 19, 2008
Now researchers have found that obese women who undergo weight-loss surgery before becoming pregnant are less likely to have pregnancy-related health ...
Weight-loss surgery helps with pregnancy: study Reuters
Some Pregnancy-Related Complications Minimized for Women Who Have ... MarketWatch
Go for pre-pregnancy weight loss surgery Times of India
TheMedGuru - U.S. News & World Report
all 58 news articles


LA Weight Loss Announces Closing of Eau Claire Facility
WQOW TV News 18, Eau Claire - 7 hours ago
LA Weight Loss just announced its closing in Eau Claire next Wednesday. When News 18 contacted the corporate offices, they sent us this statement: "We wish ...


Weight Loss Blog: Getting Started
TheDenverChannel.com, CO - 23 hours ago
I keep hearing Oprah Winfrey in my head saying if there was a magic pill to weight loss, she'd have it. If the woman who can afford personal trainers and ...


Weight loss can cause excess, flabby skin
Tulsa World, OK - 16 hours ago
Dear Reader: First, I would like to congratulate your granddaughter on her astonishing weight loss. Skin is very stretchy and often reshapes as weight is ...


Weight Loss in Progress
ireport - 28 minutes ago
I have slowed the weight loss down, but have lost 60 lbs since the 3rd week of June. My goal: To lose a total of 120 lbs to get to my ideal weight, ...


Weight-loss surgery beneficial for both mother and baby
TopNews, Arkansas - 20 hours ago
A recent research showed that weight-loss surgery not only increases the chances of pregnancy but it also reduces the risk of various complications in ...


That Happened!

Weight-loss surgery bodes well for pregnancy
That Happened!, New York - Nov 20, 2008
New York - Researchers have found that weight-loss surgery bodes well for pregnancy. They found that women who had weight loss surgery before becoming ...


Weight Loss Surgery Helps Obese Women Have Healthier Babies
New York Times, United States - Nov 19, 2008
By RONI CARYN RABIN Women who become pregnant after weight-loss surgery have easier pregnancies and healthier babies than do obese women who become pregnant ...


Weight Loss Surgery for Two
Ivanhoe, FL - Nov 19, 2008
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Undergoing bariatric weight loss surgery before becoming pregnant may be the healthiest decision for both mother and baby. ...


News Channel 7

Scale Down Weight Loss To Hold Free Seminar
News Channel 7, SC - Nov 20, 2008
Scale Down Weight Loss Programs will offer a free community seminar on December 4 at The Horizon Center in downtown Spartanburg. ...

Weight-Loss - Google News

home | site map
© 2006