V. How can one utilize parental guidance over parental control?

• Parents can follow Ellyn Satter's theory of Division of Responsibility: Parents are responsible for what food is available, when it is available, and where it is available. Children are responsible for how much they choose to eat, and whether or not they choose to eat at all. This way, the parents are not doing the child's job and vice/versa. (Satter, 2008).
• Parents themselves can act as role models for their children by living a healthy lifestyle and exhibiting optimal eating behavior. However, it is important to keep in mind that each family member is at different stages and will thus have different eating needs. For example, a growing adolescent will have higher nutrient requirements than a middle-aged parent (Berg, 2001).
• It is important for both parents and children to understand the maturation process. During puberty, it is appropriate for girls to gain body fat. This is both a healthy and necessary sign of development (Travis, 2001).
• Parents should also be mindful of their comments regarding eating habits and weight. Examples of comments that should be avoided would be, "That food is bad for you isn't it?" or "Does this outfit make me look fat?" Parents should make an effort to discuss the dangers of dieting with their children and should avoid categorizing foods into "good foods" and "bad foods" (Berg, 2001).
• Studies have shown a strong association between the erratic eating behavior of parents and similar behavior in their teenage children. A child is likely to adopt extreme weight control behaviors if he/she observes her parents doing the same (Neumark-Sztainer, 2005).
• It is very important for the parent to try to avoid making negative comments regarding their child's weight. Often, a simple comment even with the best intentions may be misconstrued among children and lead to destructive eating habits and behaviors. It is important to stop criticism that conveys an attitude that thinner is "better" and that larger or fatter is "bad" (Neumark-Sztainer, 2005 & Levine, 2002).
• It is essential for the parent to provide their children with social and emotional support of the children's eating. It is also necessary to promote self-esteem and self-respect in your children. This is the best antidote for an eating disorder (Satter, 2009 & Woolsey, 2002)
• Parents can help by teaching their children to think critically about messages from media, peers, and other adults about the ideal body size and physical appearance. This will help children communicate assertively and allow them to form their own opinions without the negative influence of outsides sources and misleading advertisements (Woolsey, 2002).
• Authoritative feeding styles (parenting style characterized by high structure and high warmth) were positively associated with the child's consumption of dairy and vegetables. Thus, children of caregivers who were more authoritative were more likely to consume these products (Patrick, 2005).
• Authoritarian feeding styles (parenting style characterized by high structure and low warmth) were negatively associated with vegetable consumption, and thus children of caregivers who were authoritarian were less likely to consume vegetables (Patrick, 2005).
• A recent scientific study demonstrated that a certain amount of parental direction and control was necessary to develop self-regulation and healthy eating patterns among children (Hughes, 2005).

Back