Fearing eating disorders in children, nutritionists invite parents to write to their family doctor so that he does not talk about the weight of their child in his presence.
Since Tuesday, parents can get a free letter written by groups working against eating disorders. This letter was created to help parents express their wish that the doctor not discuss matters such as their child’s weight, height, body shape, body mass index (BMI) or growth during consultations. Rather, the message invites the doctor to discuss it after the appointment, only with the parents.
From the age of 3 or 4, children can understand that their body is a problem. “We had testimonies in consultation where the child comes home and starts to watch what he eats” following a comment from a doctor, says one of the authors of the letter, the dietitian- nutritionist Mélissa Larivière.
The letter, inspired by an English version, was written by the Pediatric Nutritionists team in collaboration with psychoeducators, psychotherapists and psychologists, as well as the organizations ÉquiLibre and Anorexie et bulimie Québec (ANEB).
“We want to make doctors aware, if they have a concern about the weight or growth of children, not to address it in the presence of the child”, summarizes Ms.me River.
Comments about weight can disrupt a child’s relationship with food, their body and their self-esteem, argues Ms.me River. “If we are able to develop a healthy body image in children, that is, a positive perception of their body, this is a favorable factor for them to develop healthy lifestyle habits,” she says.
The purpose of this letter is to educate doctors in a “polite and benevolent manner”. “Doctors wrote to us following the letter to thank us, because they too want to raise awareness”, rejoices Mme River.
The letter is available on the Pediatric Nutritionists website, in the “Free Tools” tab, in three different versions – long, abbreviated and postcard – and can be personalized by adding the necessary information to suit each family. .