Eating disorders affect men, women, girls and boys, and are being found in younger and younger children. Even though we are constantly bombarded with skinny images supposedly representing a glamorous ideal, there are preventative measures all parents can take, to keep our children safe.

Don’t make the mistake of passing off any eating disorder thinking it’s just a way to get attention, or a phase they’re going through. Behind eating disorders can be a complex array of emotional issues which can be caused by problems within the family, at school, etc. and need to be addressed and treated. These disorders are NOT just women’s problems. Men are also affected by them and in addition to developing eating disorders, may also turn to steroids in their quest for their idea of the perfect body.

As a society we need to realize that comments about other people’s physical build are forms of prejudice and produce feelings of inadequacy in those not of that shape. We need to be careful we don’t place emphasis on being pretty, handsome, slim, tall, or whatever.

When you hear the comment, "She’s pretty" how do you think other children who are not classified "pretty" would take such an innocent sounding remark? It is these types of things we need to think about. Even a comment such as, "I can’t go swimming until I lose weight ? I look too fat" is a statement that can have consequences on your children. Even if you truly feel that way, please don’t say it around your children.

So how do we combat this? Well, we start with the family. We all want what’s best for our children and loved ones, but need to be careful we don’t place overdue emphasis on beauty and body shape. Starting with ourselves, we need to examine our attitudes and beliefs and the resultant behaviors we exhibit when we consider weight, body shape, etc. We need to teach our children that all body shapes, large and small, are beautiful and natural, and show no prejudices or preferences for one or the other.

Our children learn from us and copy us. Even teasing a small child about their weight can be a dangerous move, because you are setting them up to be concerned with losing weight at an early age and placing an unhealthy emphasis on slimness. If your children indulge in teasing others about their weight, or being critical or judgmental about larger built children, you need to instill in them that this is inappropriate.

Then we need to educate them about the dangers of trying to achieve thinness through dieting. Teach them healthy eating habits from the start and encourage exercise as a fun and healthy activity. Don’t label foods as good, bad, or fattening. Rather, teach your children about all things in moderation.

Encourage your children to eat when they are hungry and to stop when they are full. Don’t insist they "clean their plate". Offer small servings and let it be known they can have more if they’re still hungry. Encourage them to chew their food slowly and deliberately. Don’t let them eat with distractions such as the TV. And never use food as a form of reward or punishment.

Teach your children that it is important to value the "inner" qualities of people and not the "outer".

Promote a healthy self-esteem and self-image in your children. Happy children are less prone to fall victim to eating disorders, which can also come about if they are depressed or unhappy. Signs to look for with the various common eating disorders.