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The Question
02/03/10
05:04 AM
"Help .. My 16 year old has a eating disorder and steals food?"
Asked By:
tlgteresa
Category:
Coping And Emotional Issues
Background Info Hide
My son has always been difficult doing testing he was diagnosed at age 8 , I was told he would do it in his own time, that never happened. He started to steal food, sweet and then savory about 6 years ago, however I was told it was normal. This has progressed much further and I can't sleep at night as he creeps around in the night stealing all types of food, it is not because he is hungry.. believe me.. he says he does not know why he does it, he can't help himself !! He steals savory things, things that don't taste nice like packet food mixes and also sweet things, it is a never ending list. I have spoken to the diabetic team here and they say it is normal all teenagers do this, no one will listen to me. I know that he want's help as he leaves all the evidence hidden in his room, almost to be found, when he could just put it in the BIN.. I found his friends dont know he is diabetic. Now he is eating flavored tablets and medicines no one will listen.. In France with language barrier.
Expert Answers (1)
02/04/10
08:18 PM
It is not uncommon for children and teens with diabetes to sneak food. There is such a connection to food with diabetes as patients have to eat meals on time, count carbs, make healthy choices, etc. It can lead to a preoocupation with food. It sounds like your son would definitely benefit from counseling. I would talk to your diabetes team again to see if they know of any local resources such as a psychologist that maybe able to help your son work through why he's sneaking food and potential solutions to help him stop. I have heard of parents locking the refrigerator and/or cabinets to limit access at home. But, if your son is a teen he is still going to have access to extra food at school and around friends. Working with a psychologist and his diabetes care team hopefully he can figure out how to work in some of the foods he craves into his meal plan so he doesn't feel compelled to sneak food and eat in private. There is no easy answer for this and i wish you the best.
Answered By:
Shannon Lyles
Accreditations: BSN, RN, CDE
Sources Show
(1 Answer)
Community Answers (2)
02/15/10
11:46 AM
I was diagnosed at 16 with type 1 and my mother became the kitchen police. If I so much as ate one cracker - I was in trouble. I started sneaking food because of all the restrictions she put on me - I became obsessed with food. Sometimes I just wanted something to eat - whether I was hungry, stressed, hormonal, etc. She just didn't seem to understand - she wanted total control over my eating and that was the WORST thing she could have done for me!
When I was 21 - I was finally able to move out and realized I was still sneaking food - it had becaome a way of life for me. When I had my own children, I swore that I would never do that to them and I didn't.
I am now 52 - diabetic for 37 years and in good health. My biggest battle with diabetes has not been the blood tests or shots - it was the food. It has taken years to retrain my thoughts about eating and now I am trying to help others who have gone thru the same thing.
My advice to you as a mom:
Don't say your son is "stealing" food.
Find someone (doctor or counselor) that your son can talk to about this without you present.
Let him take control over the food - not you (obviously have lots of healthy food choices in your kitchen)
Let him have a say in meal planning/grocery lists/etc.
Have your son cook dinner one night a week
Find ways to be a support to him - encourage the good choices he makes.
I realize that there might be some other issues that need to be dealt with, but from my experience, make sure you help him change the way he views food at home and hopefully it will impact other areas of concern. The more he understands and takes charge of his own health, the better equipped he will be as an adult.
Good luck and may God bless your family!
Answered By:
opus06
FLAG
SourcesShow
02/15/10
11:43 AM
I was diagnosed at 16 with type 1 and my mother became the kitchen police. If I so much as ate one cracker - I was in trouble. I started sneaking food because of all the restrictions she put on me - I became obsessed with food. Sometimes I just wanted something to eat - whether I was hungry, stressed, hormonal, etc. She just didn't seem to understand - she wanted total control over my eating and that was the WORST thing she could have done for me!
When I was 21 - I was finally able to move out and realized I was still sneaking food - it had becaome a way of life for me. When I had my own children, I swore that I would never do that to them and I didn't.
I am now 52 - diabetic for 37 years and in good health. My biggest battle with diabetes has not been the blood tests or shots - it was the food. It has taken years to retrain my thoughts about eating and now I am trying to help others who have gone thru the same thing.
My advice to you as a mom:
Don't say your son is "stealing" food.
Find someone (doctor or counselor) that your son can talk to about this without you present.
Let him take control over the food - not you (obviously have lots of healthy food choices in your kitchen)
Let him have a say in meal planning/grocery lists/etc.
Have your son cook dinner one night a week
Find ways to be a support to him - encourage the good choices he makes.
I realize that there might be some other issues that need to be dealt with, but from my experience, make sure you help him change the way he views food at home and hopefully it will impact other areas of concern. The more he understands and takes charge of his own health, the better equipped he will be as an adult.
Good luck and may God bless your family!
Answered By:
opus06
FLAG
SourcesShow
(2 Answers)
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