Evidence-Based Strategies to Prevent Eating Disorders and Obesity in Children

Eating disorders (EDs) and obesity (OB) are both chronic health problems that often emerge during childhood and adolescence. Both conditions are difficult to treat and may pose serious medical and behavioral health effects. In the following review article, prevalence and common health consequences of both EDs and OB in youth are presented, followed by a summary of literature describing the interaction between the two conditions. Best practice prevention strategies and specific physician action steps are then out-lined. These include (1) discouraging restricting diet behavior and using behavioral strategies to encourage nourishing eating habits (including 5-2-1-0 plan), (2) promoting positive body image, (3) eating frequent family meals, (4) encouraging and modeling positive body talk and (5) addressing weight stigma and bullying related to weight.