Children and adolescents live in a
world where thin is in and
where the pressure to conform
to society’s view of the ideal body,
when combined with other life factors,
can set the stage for an eating disorder.
Clinical eating disorders and
disordered eating habits can seriously
threaten physical health as well as the
ability to learn. Although school personnel
are not able to treat students
with an eating disorder, they can play
an important role in prevention
because the school environment and
the social dynamics of adolescence can
have a significant impact on an adolescent’s
potential for developing an eating
disorder.
As educators place greater emphasis
on eating healthy, low-calorie foods
and getting more exercise because of
concerns about childhood obesity, they
must balance such messages with the
need to avoid pressuring youth or
judging them on the basis of their
weight. The goal is to create a school
culture in which students feel accepted
regardless of their shape and size and
adopt lifestyle choices that minimize
their risk of engaging in unhealthy
eating habits.