How Do I Know if My Child Has Eating Disorder or Body Image Issues?

How Do I Know if My Child Has Eating Disorder or Body Image Issues?

Author: Heather Creekmore - Christian Body Image Author and Speaker March 28, 2025 Duration: 31:59

Host Heather Creekmore sits down with pastor's wife, author, and counselor Kristen Hatton to discuss what to do if your child has (or you suspect they have) an eating disorder or body image issues. Kristen shares the story of her daughter who had a derogatory comment directed at her in 8th grade and then began to restrict food until it became the eating disorder, anorexia. After going through treatment, Kristen's daughter shifted from restriction to a restrict and purge cycle (bulimia) and Kristen, again, had to intervene to help her daughter restore a healthy relationship with food and her body. 

Heather and Kristen have a bit of friendly debate over whether or not encouraging a child to have healthy habits is effective for those with brains that are geared towards restriction or perfection. They also talk about how important it is to help our children be healthy in every area--not just physically, but spiritually and mentally too. Kristen shares what she learned, in hindsight, to look for if your child may be exhibiting signs of an eating disorder or body image issues. She also talks about how to know when you may need to bring in outside help.

Learn more about Kristen Hatton and her books here: https://www.kristenhatton.com

Learn more about Compared to Who? and how to start healing your body image and food issues: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

Check out the Compared to Who? Etsy shop -with hats, tanks, and tees to remind you to stop comparing and start living. Check it out here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop

 

 

 

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Heather Creekmore, a Christian body image author and speaker, hosts Compared to Who? Body Image for Christian Women. This space is for women who are exhausted by the constant pressure to measure up, whether it's to cultural ideals of beauty, fitness goals, or even spiritual performance. It’s common to know scripture about your worth in Christ yet feel a disconnect when you look in the mirror or navigate daily life. This podcast directly addresses that gap, moving beyond simplistic self-help or well-meaning clichés that often leave you feeling more defeated. Instead, conversations are grounded in a thoughtful blend of faith, mental health, and practical wellness. You’ll hear honest discussions about how spirituality intersects with the very real struggles of body image, diet culture, and personal comparison. Each episode aims to provide not just encouragement but tangible steps to help you live out your God-given identity with freedom and confidence. The goal is a stronger, more integrated faith that transforms how you see yourself, not by the world’s ever-changing standards, but through a lens of grace and truth. Tune in for a candid and compassionate resource that meets you right where you are.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Compared to Who? Body Image for Christian Women
Podcast Episodes
How Hormones Affect Your Body Image All Through Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:52
Is your body image really about how your body looks or are your hormones playing tricks on you? Today, Heather interviews Dr. Mikala Albertson about how our hormones affect the ways we feel and think about our bodies. In…
4 Ways for Women to Age Well [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:37
What does it take to age well? According to Instagram, it seems aging is all about what you eat and how you exercise. But, what if there's more to aging well than that? Today, author and Christian body image coach, Heath…
Do Body Image Issues Affect Our Parenting? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:25
Heather chats with licensed counselor, pastor's wife, and author Kristen Hatton about the ways that our body image issues can affect how we parent our children. From passing on perfectionism, to trying to control, to exp…
How Erin Got Pregnant at 40 after Eating Disorder and Food Issues [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:33
Today, Heather chats with Erin Todd from the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women podcast and Ashley Smith of the HA Society about how Ashley helped Erin get pregnant after 40. Even if you aren't looking to get pregnant,…