When Food Feels Scary: Eating Disorders in Kids & Teens (Early Signs & What Helps)
2/24/202641 min
When food starts to feel tense, restrictive, or obsessive at home, it can send a parent into panic fast.In observation of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, Dr. Becky sits down with Dr. Erin Parks, Chief Clinical Officer at Equip Health, to talk about eating disorders and disordered eating in kids and teens—what the early signs look like, what’s happening emotionally underneath, and how parents can respond without escalating shame or control struggles.Eating disorders affect an estimated 30 million Americans in their lifetime. They are common. They are serious. And they are not caused by “bad parenting.” In this...
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First 90 secondsBecky Kennedy· Host0:00
Caregiving is one of the biggest sources of stress for parents today. The data shows that most parents spend nearly every waking hour focused on someone else. And if you feel depleted, that's not failure, that's the reality of how much you're carrying. Another thing the data tells us is this: almost three-quarters of parents say having a stronger network of trusted caregivers would improve their mental and emotional health, and I see that play out all the time. When parents have real support, the mental load lightens a bit and they become more present, calmer, and more regulated. Care.com makes it easier to find that kind of support with background check caregivers, reviews, and filters for the exact skills you're looking for, whether it's infant care, before- or after-school help, camps, day cares, or senior care. And right now, Care.com is offering something they've never offered before. For a limited time, use the code GOOD35 to get 35% off a premium membership, plus a free subscription to Headspace. Because when you have support, you can show up as your best self for the people you care for and for yourself. There are some topics in parenting that feel especially loaded, that make our heart race, and food and eating disorders, those are two of them. This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, and I really wanted to create space for a conversation that feels empowering, steady, relieving, actually helpful. Not sensational, not fear-driven, not filled with rules and morality.