Information for Parents about Eating Disorders

Mental Health and Crisis Management Services Information for Parents about Eating Disorders

Did you know?

• The holiday season is a fun time of the year for millions of children throughout the world. Festivities, gathering with family and friends and celebrating often includes increased pressure to indulge in holiday meals and treats.
• For individuals suffering from eating disorders, this can be an extremely difficult time.
• The most common eating disorders, Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia, affect more than 24 million Americans each year, according to The Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness.

What is an eating disorder?

• Eating disorders -- such as Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating Disorder – include extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues. Eating disorders are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening consequences for females and males.

Signs and Symptoms

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.

• Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height, body type, age, and activity level
• Intense fear of weight gain or being “fat”
• Feeling “fat” or overweight despite dramatic weight loss
• Loss of menstrual periods in females
• Extreme concern with body weight and shape

Bulimia

Bulimia includes eating large amounts of food (binging) --more than most people would eat in one meal--in short periods of time, then getting rid of the food and calories through vomiting, laxative abuse, or over-exercising (purging).

• Repeated episodes of binging and purging
• Feeling out of control during a binge and eating beyond the point of comfortable fullness
• Purging after a binge, (typically by self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, diet pills and/or diuretics, excessive exercise, or fasting)
• Frequent dieting
• Extreme concern with body weight and shape

Compulsive Eating

Compulsive eating is characterized primarily by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full.

• May be sporadic fasts or repetitive diets and often feelings of shame or self-hatred after a binge.
• May struggle with anxiety, depression, and loneliness, which can contribute to their unhealthy episodes of binge eating.
Body weight may vary from normal to mild, moderate, or severe obesity.

Get Help• If you suspect your child is suffering from an eating disorder, seek treatment immediately. The goal of intervention is to help children develop a healthy outlook about themselves and a positive attitude about food.
• Set a healthy example by serving a variety of nutritious foods and discuss the importance of a balanced diet. Exercise should be encouraged as part of a healthy lifestyle.
• See your family doctor for medical advice and or resources.
• Visit your school counseling professionals for resources in the community.
• Many times individual, group, and family counseling services are found to be very helpful.

Information adapted from http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/nedaDir/files/documents/handouts/WhatIsEd.pdf and http://www.uclahealth.org/workfiles/documents/healthtips/ht0508.pdf.

M-DCPS wishes you and your family a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season!!!!

Mental Health and Crisis Management Services
M-DCPS Crisis Hotline: 305-995-CARE http://mhcms.dadeschools.net/

Varela Feeder Pattern AP of the Year

Congratulations to Ms. Nery Fins, assistant principal at Felix Varela Senior High school who has been nominated the Varela feeder pattern AP of the Year.

Beyond the Bell

BECAUSE LEARNING DOESN’T STOP WHEN THE SCHOOL DAY ENDS.

What does Beyond the Bell provide?

•Supplemental online curriculum content to support student learning
•Individualized student learning paths beyond the school day
•Supplemental learning tools for targeted students in grades 3-11 aligned to their FCAT level
•Resource for students and parents to engage learning using technology
•Updates every nine weeks to the learning paths reflecting the district curriculum focus

Instructional Tools Available:
Grades 3-5
• Ticket To Read

Grades 3-11
Reading Plus
Riverdeep
Destination Math
Destination Reading

Grades 4-11
Gizmos
Mathematics and Science

Grades 6-8
Compass Learning
Language Arts/Reading
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies


How do I access Beyond the Bell? Log in using the M-DCPS Student Portal at
http://myportal.dadeschools.net/student/

Greater Miami Dog Show & South Dade Kennel Club

Dog Show at the Miami Dade County Fair Expo Center
presented by the Greater Miami Dog Club and South Dade Kennel Club
the Felix Varela Sr High Vet students were asked to help with the animals and with the set up.

December 2 - 1:00 PM
Breed Specialty Shows
December 3 - December 5
All Breed Conformation Shows
Junior Showmanship
Obedience and Rally Trials
December 5
Agility Trails

For more information abuot the show, please contact MiamiDogShow@gmail.com

Magnet Fair at Varela Senior High School

We are holding a Magnet Fair for interested parents of 8th graders on Wednesday, December 9th at 6:00 p.m. Our Magnet Programs include Global Studies and Veterinarian Science programs.

FIFA World Cup

Once every four years, the world's premier national soccer teams participate in the FIFA World CUP. Please join me in support of the bid to bring the World Cup to Miami in 2018 or 2022. The participation of the entire Miami-Dade County Public Schools' family will go along way toward ensuring that the world's most prestigious soccer tournament comes to the United States and Miami. Help us obtain the needed 50,000 signatures before any other U.S. city by taking: a moment to sign the online petition in support of this effort. The petition may be found at:

www.gousabid.com/miami

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Miami-Dade County Public School's to join others in our community to welcome the world to South Florida. Thank you for helping to promote our community's participation in this exciting worldwide event.

Parent Resource Guide

Everything you need to know about your Child’s Education
is now at your fingertips! www.dadeschools.net

Todo lo que necesita saber sobre la Educación de su hijo
¡En la punta de sus dedos! www.dadeschools.net