Food Addiction Support Group
An individual suffering from a food addiction disorder frequently experiences episodes of uncontrolled eating, or binging, during which they may feel frenzied or out of control. They will eat much more quickly than is normal, and continue to eat even past the point of being uncomfortably full. Binging in this way is generally followed by a period of intense guilt feelings...
I'm reaching out for my son. He is almost 10 and he is sneaking food constantly. His teacher allows the class to bring one snack and he will bring 4-5. At home, at school, wherever. He complains he is always hungry and if he doesn't get enough to eat on time he has a fit of rage. (If we have obligations so no after school snack).
He is extremely over weight for his age. He is also very tall, almost two heads taller than others in his class. He suffers so much because of his size. I have dealt with eating disorders since teen years, and have always stayed small. I restrict all day then binge at night.
As far as what I've done so far.... I buy no junk food, however with school its hard not to buy the individual packs of crackers or animal cookies. He does have to bring a snack and this is an area we argue about. I buy no soda and dinners are reasonable. I try monitor what he eats as much as possible without making him notice. Oh yes and I buy fruit snacks. I buy lots of fruit. If I'm not watching he will easily eat 4-5 apples at one time. Or the whole box of fruit snacks and granola bars.
We live out in the country, with no kids close. We live on a highway so no way to ride a bike. We had memberships to a gym where he was allowed (at his age) to go work out...and they closed. No other gyms will allow him. Urrgghhh. I have tried school sports, but again we are very rural so not much is offered, so we sign him up for what we can. He is so big though the kids make fun of him and he hates going. We walk in the yard together, but that's about it. We have extreme season's which also makes it difficult.
I don't understand how I can struggle with food for 24 years and not know how to reach out to him or help him. He's in counseling but what else can I do!! He's headed to the doctor to check thyroid and blood sugar. It hurts me so bad to see him suffer. Do I yell at the sneaking of the food.... I know if I want to binge I have to be hidden. Times I'm alone and in secret. If I stop him from doing his "sneaking" won't he just wait for a better time and make the binge larger!!! Ahhhh..... also he is developing stomach indigestion. My 10yr old son has to rely on tums....
Thanks so much for reading and any thoughts you have. I guess what I'm asking is if you were 10 and suffering what do you think would help with this horrible cycle.
He is extremely over weight for his age. He is also very tall, almost two heads taller than others in his class. He suffers so much because of his size. I have dealt with eating disorders since teen years, and have always stayed small. I restrict all day then binge at night.
As far as what I've done so far.... I buy no junk food, however with school its hard not to buy the individual packs of crackers or animal cookies. He does have to bring a snack and this is an area we argue about. I buy no soda and dinners are reasonable. I try monitor what he eats as much as possible without making him notice. Oh yes and I buy fruit snacks. I buy lots of fruit. If I'm not watching he will easily eat 4-5 apples at one time. Or the whole box of fruit snacks and granola bars.
We live out in the country, with no kids close. We live on a highway so no way to ride a bike. We had memberships to a gym where he was allowed (at his age) to go work out...and they closed. No other gyms will allow him. Urrgghhh. I have tried school sports, but again we are very rural so not much is offered, so we sign him up for what we can. He is so big though the kids make fun of him and he hates going. We walk in the yard together, but that's about it. We have extreme season's which also makes it difficult.
I don't understand how I can struggle with food for 24 years and not know how to reach out to him or help him. He's in counseling but what else can I do!! He's headed to the doctor to check thyroid and blood sugar. It hurts me so bad to see him suffer. Do I yell at the sneaking of the food.... I know if I want to binge I have to be hidden. Times I'm alone and in secret. If I stop him from doing his "sneaking" won't he just wait for a better time and make the binge larger!!! Ahhhh..... also he is developing stomach indigestion. My 10yr old son has to rely on tums....
Thanks so much for reading and any thoughts you have. I guess what I'm asking is if you were 10 and suffering what do you think would help with this horrible cycle.
serenityspeaks
Ahhhh my son is 10 and I believe over weight. We have a check up tomorrow so see what the doc says but I am so mad at myself. I was a small skinny child. Food in my house was restricted so if my kids are hungry I let them eat. They have to ask and my son wants to eat every few hours. I am working on cutting back on processed foods. Mostly snacks are fruit now. I do give 2 cookies most days in school lunch. I am so concerned. My kids now do karate which is a good workout! Butnot sure I can keep them in as money is tight. I was considering taking my son to see dieticician. Kids losing weight isn't like us. I was honestly small till I had kids and my son is in 5th grade and started gaining in 3rd. Its like I didn't see or realize. So seeing this post I can relate!
deleted_user
I can relate to your son....I was so traumatied by my mother yelling at me, restricting food, making the binges worse... making food the forbidden fruit. I am 31 and have never ever fully been able to forgive her...I guess I now understand what she was going throug, but in the back of my mind I will always blame her for my eating disorder.It was probably already there or developing, but by restricting certain foods and snacks she made it so taboo, that everything I ever did involving food after that becane unhealthy, sneaky, and shameful. As an adult I truly want nothing to do with her...I certainly wouldn't yell at him. I think you are doing the right things by having the healty food available and making it as easy as possible....but be careful, it could eliminate your relationship going forward if it becomes a point on contention. Even though I might have ended up this way anyway, I have spent countless night blaming my mother for making me lose all self esteem. Good luck I know you will find the right way to support him in his issue - but even though he is 10 the only one who can really adjust his behavior is him!
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