ERIC Number: EJ848624
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0009-4056
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Eating Disorders in Childhood: Prevention and Treatment Supports
Cook-Cottone, Catherine
Childhood Education, v85 n5 p300 2009
Eating disorders (EDs) are chronic clinical mental disorders that are disruptive to the psychological and social development of children and adolescents. They can be difficult to prevent and treat and are considered among the most chronic and medically lethal of mental disorders. Research suggests that the incidence and prevalence of eating disorders are increasing and that the age of onset may be decreasing (e.g., Rastam, Gillberg, van Hoeken, & Hoek, 2004). The keys to preventing and successfully treating EDs are the efficient integration of mental health and school practices in effective prevention programs, timely and efficient risk identification, and support of treatment. However, few education publications offer information and guidance as to how early childhood educators can be part of prevention and intervention of EDs. To help educators support prevention and treatment of EDs, this article provides: (1) a detailed description of symptoms and risk factors associated with EDs; (2) an overview of ED definitions, prevalence rates, and treatment protocol; and (3) a review of school-based prevention practices, with explicit recommendations for childhood educators. The author concludes that with proper knowledge and commitment, schools can be a safe, protective, and healing place for students with eating disorders. Without such an environment, the prognosis for children can be fatal.
Descriptors: Incidence, Prevention, Mental Disorders, Eating Disorders, At Risk Persons, Young Children, Disability Identification, Social Development, Child Behavior, Health Behavior, Chronic Illness, Child Development, Age Differences, Preschool Teachers, Teacher Role, Early Childhood Education, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Definitions
Association for Childhood Education International. 17904 Georgia Avenue Suite 215, Olney, MD 20832. Tel: 800-423-3563; Tel: 301-570-2111; Fax: 301-570-2212; e-mail: headquarters@acei.org; Web site: http://www.acei.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A