The exact cause of eating disorders is not fully understood, but research suggests a combination of genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors can raise a person’s risk.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), “Starting at a young age, we begin to internalize messages that can lead to negative body image. Having a healthier body image is an important part of mental wellbeing and eating disorders prevention.”

Here are seven things parents can do that may help prevent disordered eating:

Create a safe environment.

Make your home a safe space to discuss feelings, body image, and pressures from school or friends, and promote open communication with your child in a way they will not feel judged.

Model a healthy body image.

Practice mindful eating habits, avoid dieting or extreme diets, and avoid disparaging comments about your own body or appearance. When our loved ones hear us saying negative things about ourselves, they judge themselves by the same ideals. Admire people for what they do, not how they look.

Avoid restricting food.

Do you restrict yourself from certain foods in front of your children or deny your children certain foods? Try not to categorize food as “good” or “bad”. Obviously, as a parent you want your child to eat nutritious food to support their growing body, but portraying food as off-limits develops thought patterns in young minds. Strive for a balanced diet and treats in moderation. The key is enjoyment and presenting a variety of food.

Exercise for joy!

Do you exercise to burn calories or for the fun of it? Take some time to reevaluate your feelings and thoughts about exercise. You can choose to move for your heart health or for the pure joy of it, not to change the size or shape of your body. Do something together as a family. Go for a walk. Have fun!

Spend time on things you like and do well.

The more you enjoy your life, the better you will model individuality and independence –  whether you are a black diamond skier or a fabulous jigsaw puzzler! Tell your children frequently that you love and accept them just as they are. This builds self-esteem and a positive self-image.

Encourage critical thinking about social media.

Talk with them about the pressure to “look a certain way” and how media images can be manipulated. What is their definition of attractiveness? Why should there be an ideal? Negative body image can correlate directly with the use of social media platforms.

Know the warning signs.

It is important to pay attention and be vigilant if you sense that something is wrong with your child’s eating behaviors. Weight loss, obsession with food or body image, skipping meals, and excessive exercise are all red flags. If you are worried, trust your instincts and talk to your pediatrician.

Our children are watching us, and what we do is more important than what we say. Showing our children what self-acceptance looks like will make them less likely to search outside themselves to feel loved and safe.

Lori Kehoe holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is the Clinical Liaison for Sanford Behavioral Health. For more information, please visit: sanfordbehavioralhealth.com