News Release
 November 15, 1999

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Holiday Treats Cause Angst for People with Eating Disorders

It’s pretty much a five-week smorgasbord. From Thanksgiving until the day after New Years, people are offered so many opportunities to indulge, it becomes a true test of willpower to watch what you eat.

People with eating disorders may find the holidays an especially challenging time of the year. Family gatherings are usually centered on meals, which include hors d'oeuvres, desserts and everything in between. Then, there’s the parties and the cookies and candies that people bring to work and send as presents - all of the tastiest, but most fattening treats.

People with anorexia nervosa, bulimia or compulsive eating can experience genuine panic at holiday meals and parties where they are expected to eat and enjoy foods that they are trying to avoid the rest of the year. Friends and family may make the situation even worse by encouraging the person to eat, using the holidays as an excuse to let them indulge.

Michael Pertschuk, M.D., Medical director of the Eating Disorders Program at Friends Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia suggests that family and friends try to remember that, "Neither angry confrontations nor pretending the problem doesn’t exist are effective ways of managing eating disorders. Also, don’t encourage overeating by bringing or giving food to someone who has a problem with binge eating."

Avoid conversations that focus on a person’s appearance or eating habits, Dr. Pertschuk stressed. An aunt or uncle may exclaim, "You've put on weight, you look great. To a recovering anorexic, becoming fat is absolutely terrifying," he said.

"Just sit down and eat like a normal person is another comment used which is also a no-no. If it were that easy, the individual would eat normally," Pertschuk said. Family members and friends must understand that there are deeper emotional issues that prevent someone with an eating disorder from eating properly.

If people are worried about weight loss or odd eating habits of someone close to them, Dr. Pertschuk recommends, "choose a quiet time to take the individual aside and express the concern. Even if the individual responds negatively, you may have planted an idea that will prompt the person to consider help later on."

Below are a few tips to help a loved one or friend through the holidays:

• Do not comment on weight or appearance. This is a no win situation. It is impossible to reassure an individual with an eating disorder about his/her appearance. Even off hand comments like, "You look great," can be misinterpreted as a statement about weight.
• Do not make meals the battleground. This is not the place to confront eating disorder symptoms.
• Avoid comments about food choices or the amount of food eaten.
• Recognize that this can be a stressful time and that the individual may sorely need all the support and love that family and friends can provide.

Janet Graves, RN, BA, Care Coordinator for Adolescent Services/Eating Disorders at Friends Hospital offers some practical advice when spending time with a family member of friend with an eating disorder: ADo not focus the entire holiday season on eating. Try non-food activities such as ice skating, movies, or going to a bookstore. It will make it easier for everyone to relax. Plus, any exercise you can squeeze in helps keep weight down and makes you feel good about yourself."

Friends Hospital's Eating Disorders Program includes both a day treatment and an inpatient treatment program for men and women with anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating. For more information call 800-889-0548.

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