While anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders often surface during adolescence, girls (and boys) can show signs of trouble much earlier."Catching these problems quickly can prevent a lifelong struggle," said Jill Layne, a licensed clinical social worker with Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk, Va.
Some red flags:
She's obsessed with weight. A child might voice an intense fear of gaining weight, comment about feeling fat when she's a normal size or, if she is overweight, become fixated on that fact.
She sneaks or hoards food. You might find discarded wrappers in her room or notice she's ashamed of what she's eaten.
She makes excuses for not eating. She says she had a big lunch or ate right before coming home. She prefers eating alone.
Her eating and exercise habits become extreme. A child might refuse anything but low-calorie options -- which can alternate with binges on favorite "bad" foods -- and constantly try to burn off calories: running in front of the television, say, or going for a jog after a long sports practice.
Her appearance starts to change. A child might or might not lose weight. If she's not getting enough calories, her hair and skin will dry out and her energy levels will fall.
She follows "rituals" at meals. Anorexics might cut food into tiny pieces or keep different items from touching each other. Bulimics will go to the bathroom immediately after meals to purge.
What to do: Reassure a child she's beautiful, and ask why she's feeling insecure. Brainstorm ways to live healthfully without banning any particular foods: a weekly dessert night instead of a regular supply of sweets, maybe, or family walks after dinner. Educate her on good food choices and how to follow hunger cues. Help her find ways to be successful, whether through sports or the arts, and nurture her friendships. Schedule a checkup with a pediatrician and, if symptoms continue, seek counseling.
DAILY PRESS (Newport News, Va.)
Bobble-heads spring upMore than just pretty faces, these bobble-headed birdies nod and wiggle when tapped.
For each chick, cut an end cup from a cardboard egg carton and trim it to a height of 1¼ inches. Cut out a center cup, and trim off all but the bottom ¾ inch. Paint the cups, and let them dry.
Cut simple feet and beak shapes from card stock. Fold up the ends of the shapes to act as tabs. Glue the feet inside the large cup and the beak inside the small cup. Attach googly eyes. Wrap a 6-inch length of 24-gauge craft wire around a pen. (Make sure it's 24-gauge wire.) Use a pushpin to make a hole in the top of the large cup, then insert a full circle of the wire spring. Tape it in place. Bend the other end of the wire into a flat circle and tape it inside the smaller cup. Add feathers with glue or by inserting them into holes made with a pushpin.
FAMILYFUN MAGAZINE
