Talking to a Friend about Body Image or Eating Problems
Set a time to talk. Set aside time for a private conversation with your friend. Make sure you will be some place away from other distractions.

Communicate your concerns. Let your friend know you're concerned about her health, happiness, and safety. Talk to her about her obsession with dieting, fear of gaining weight or any eating behaviour that you think is harmful.

Listen to your friend. Be open and supportive. Your friend will discuss her eating disorder when she feels ready. Try not to give advice. Don't judge her or tell her that she shouldn't feel the way she does. Just listen and ask questions about how she feels and what she thinks.

Ask your friend about talking to someone. Suggest she share these concerns with a counsellor, doctor, nutritionist, or other adult that she feels comfortable enough to talk to. If you feel comfortable, offer to go with her. Remember that your friend needs to make the ultimate decision.

Avoid any conflict. Don't be surprised if your friend isn't ready to acknowledge that she has a problem. Offer your support and just be there to listen.

Express your continued support. Let her know that you care and remind her that you are someone she can turn to whenever she needs a friend.

If you are concerned for her safety, talk to a trusted adult or medical professional. It could be helpful for you, as well as your friend, to seek assistance and support from a professional.

In closing, consider this...
If Barbie were life-size, she would be 5'9" and weigh 110 lbs - That's only 76% of what is considered a healthy weight for her height! (Handler, Stacy. Body Burden: Living in the Shadow of Barbie. Florida: Blue Note Books, 2000)

Models in magazines are generally airbrushed. Sometimes the face of one model may be combined with the body of a second model and the legs of a third (Healthy Development of Children and Youth: The Role of the Determinants of Health. Health Canada, December 1999. www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/dca-dea/publications/pdf/child_and_youth_e.pdf)

There are three billion women who don't look like supermodels and only eight who do! (The Body Shop, 1997 Ad Campaign)

 

Table of Contents