When Food Becomes the Enemy: Helping Kids Through Eating Disorders [Parental Guidance Ep. 3]

What do you do when your child refuses to eat? When food, health, and body image turn into a dangerous battleground? In this deeply moving episode, Justin and Kylie unpack the devastating reality of eating disorders — with insights from a brave young woman who overcame anorexia, her incredible family, and a specialist psychologist who shares life-saving advice for parents.

KEY POINTS

• 90% of teens have negative thoughts about their bodies; eating disorders affect far too many young people, especially girls.

• Social media and “diet culture” fuel body dissatisfaction, validation-seeking, and dangerous habits.

• Even the most loving parents can have children who perceive themselves as unlovable — perception is reality for struggling kids.

• Parents play a vital role: showing up consistently and lovingly is powerful even when it feels unnoticed.

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  Warning signs to watch for include:

  • Loose, baggy clothing (to hide weight loss or from skin sensitivity)

  • Avoiding family meals, picking at food, or excessive “health consciousness”

  • Withdrawing socially, prioritizing exercise obsessively

  • Personality changes, irritability, especially around meals

   

• Parents need extraordinary patience, kindness, and firmness — staying at the table for hours if necessary, showing the eating disorder who’s stronger.

• Separate “the eating disorder voice” from your child’s real self in your interactions.

• It’s less about finding the “cause” and more about focusing on healing.

• The Butterfly Foundation (butterfly.org.au) is an excellent resource for specialist help.

QUOTE OF EPISODE #1299

"You need to show that eating disorder that you're stronger than it, more patient than it, and you will sit there as long as it takes — because your child is worth fighting for." — Christine Gregory

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• The Butterfly Foundation — national support for eating disorders

• Parental Guidance episode (stream on 9Now)

• Happy Families articles and resources on connection and body image (happyfamilies.com.au)

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

1. Watch for early warning signs and trust your instincts — you know your child best.
2. Be patient, kind, and firm — sit with your child at meals and don’t let the eating disorder win.
3. Separate your child’s identity from the illness; speak to your child, not to the disorder.
4. Don’t obsess over what “caused” it — focus on healing and connection.
5. Seek professional help early through organizations like the Butterfly Foundation.
6. Show up consistently: being present every day sends a powerful message of love and commitment.

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