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for food, no respect for food, using food
to reward, using it to punish. So when
I am asked what is an eating disorder,
my answer is never simple but there are
some common themes I have identified
since becoming aware of eating issues
nearly two decades ago:
A heightened sensitivity to the environment
(world affairs, family dynamics
and interactions, school, peer pressure,
rejection, scrutiny by others, criticism,
injustice)
An underlying anxiety, separation
anxiety, general anxiety, specific fears,
phobias
Identity and identification issues
(including gender) self-esteem, selfimage
and body image
High level of self-criticism and selfscrutiny,
guilt and self-punishment
Disturbance in the individuation process,
reluctance to grow up
Need to exert control over the environment
or others, includes rituals, avoidances,
habits, superstitions (sometimes
to the extent of obsessive compulsive
behaviours)
All of these themes make sense in the
context of the world in which they occur.
The real question then is, ‘How to make
food safe in such a world?’
Do:
• Invite your child into the kitchen to
help you prepare food
• Give him/her fun jobs to begin, like
grating, mixing, pouring
• Let his/her get her hands dirty
• Let him/her help plan a couple of
meals per week
• Let him/her invent his/her own meals
and prepare them for the whole family
• Eat together
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• Give your child full attention for at
least 5 minutes a day
• Be totally available for conversation
and interaction at the family table
• Let your child decorate the table and
make it a pleasant place to be
• Let your child help present the food in
smorgasboard style
• Allow the child to help her/himself
• Congratulate whomever has prepared
the meal
• Stack and clear the table together
Do not:
• Criticise your child’s attempts to help
out
• Criticise your child’s recipes
• Eat in front of the TV
• Use the phone at dinner time
• Put everything on the child’s plate
• Reward with offers of dessert
• Leave one person to do the cleaning
and washing up
For more information and help about food you
may contact Denise Greenaway at www.rainbowfood.com.au
YAPA (The Youth
Action & Policy
Association)
2004 Activism
Conference for
young people
12-18
A conference to ‘skill up’ young
people in the areas of agitation,
activism and advocacy. It’s a
chance to learn new skills, share
past experiences and network.
It’s not about the issues, or a
personal/ life-skills development
thing, it’s all about on the
ground activism.
Elanora Heights Conference Centre
on Sydney’s northern beaches,
October 5 - 7 (school holidays).
To join the conference information
mailing list, email
membership@yapa.org.au with the
subject
CONFERENCE MAILING LIST,
and you will be the first to know
what’s happening!
For more information
www.yapa.org.au
byronchild’s new youth section ‘Age of Empowerment’ is dedicated to expressing the views of our youth,
our future’s leaders. It is my aim to amplify their voice, to express who they are and what they value in
the world they are inheriting from us. It is imperative that we recognise and nurture the evolutionary
progress that our youth are giving expression to as they bring to light more information and discoveries
about how humans as a species are adapting, progressing and furthering human potential.
We are seeking editorial submissions from our youth. We want to hear from you, about your personal
experiences of inspiration, hope, overcoming life’s challenges and realised dreams. Tell us about your
families, friendships, or that special someone who has been an encouraging figure in your life. Stories or
poetry should be non-fiction, ranging in length between 300-1000 words. You must be between 11 and 19
to be published. On your submission include a title, your name, year of birth and home address.
Send via email:
(Subject AOE) lisa@byronchild.com
or by mail to:
Age of Empowerment, byronchild Magazine
7 Palm Ave, Mullumbimby, NSW 2482
Writing may be edited, and we reserve the
right to publish without prior approval.
Include an originality statement at the end
of your submission, followed by your
full name to affirm authorship of the piece.
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