According to Webster’s Dictionary, the proper definition of the word “diet” is to restrict oneself to small amounts or special kinds of food in order to lose weight. There is a huge difference between dieting and eating healthy.

When children start to diet at a young age, it can lead to eating disorders and Body Dysmorphic Disorder.  The Center For Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt* studies the psychological effect of eating disorders to help determine their causes and cures.

“Dieting is the most common precipitating factor in the development of an eating disorder,” says an article on Sheppard Pratt.  “Dieting also intensifies feelings of guilt and shame around food which may ultimately contribute to a cycle of restricting, purging, binging or excessive exercise.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a type of anxiety that causes people to have a distorted view of their bodies and can lead to these people spending excess amounts of time worrying about appearance.

When children go on diets it tends to make them self conscious about their weight, which can lead to problems such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Even later on in life, many people will get costly and unnecessary surgeries to change their appearance instead of getting therapy to change how these people perceive themselves.

One way to avoid all of these outcomes is to eat healthy instead of dieting.

“A diet consists of temporarily changing your eating habits to promote a certain outcome — commonly weight loss — before returning to your previous eating habits,” states an article found on SF Gate.  “On the other hand, a lifestyle change consists of adopting healthy overall habits that promote long-term weight control and health.”

Also, when children go on diets, most of the time it is because of their parents wanting them to be healthy, but for these kids it is more beneficial to make healthy choices instead of restricting the amount of food or the types.

All and all, kids should be eating healthy instead of dieting to avoid health issues in the future.

*for more information on The Center For Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt please visit https://eatingdisorder.org