1. Look At Family History
Since bulimia has a genetic component, according to psychological studies, the first step in preventing bulimia is to investigate your family tree. See if any relatives have been bulimic, and find out how closely they are related to you. If siblings, parents or grandparents have had bulimia, you should be more alert for signs of it in your family. Make sure your children aren't trying to diet constantly, or exercising for hours on end. You may also want to check their rooms to make sure they don't have a secret stash of food. Also, when you talk to your kids, make sure that they don't have a negative view of their bodies.
2. Provide a Supportive and Nurturing Household
Even though there is no foolproof way to prevent bulimia, the best action you can take to is to have a supportive household for your family. Many people who are bulimic have low self-esteem and view their bodies unfavorably or have an unrealistic ideal body image. Counter those feelings by complimenting your children on their achievements rather than on their looks. If you do want to compliment your child's looks, don't focus on how thin or athletic she looks. Instead, call her attention to her smile or her eyes--some part that is uniquely her. Another way you can help prevent bulimia is by making time for your children. Ask them about their day, and get them to confide in you. Encourage your children to solve problems on their own, but be available for advice and support if they need it. Work with your children to be more assertive and to properly express negative emotions such as frustration and anger.
3. Serve Balanced Meals for Your Family
You can encourage proper eating and prevent bulimia by providing nutritious meals for your family. Serving three meals a day and making sure your family gets four servings of fruits, grains and vegetables, three servings of dairy products and two servings of meat will encourage proper eating habits and reduce the likelihood that your children will start binge eating. As a further measure of prevention, don't leave snack foods like potato chips or soda in the house for snacking.
4. A Doctor Can See the Warning Signs
Catching the physical warning signs of bulimia can allow you to prevent the disorder from becoming any worse. When your children visit the doctor, have the doctor inform you if they show any physical symptoms of bulimia. The physical symptoms include dehydration, an irregular heartbeat and dry skin. Purging also takes its toll on the mouth, causing sores in both the mouth and the throat. The teeth and gums will be damaged from the constant exposure to gastric acid.
