“The Symposium and Workshop on Developmental Approaches to Eating Disorders” was organized under the leadership of Department of Psychology of Bahçeşehir University (BAU).
Organized at Fazıl Say Conference Hall with a broad participation, the symposium on “Developmental Approaches to Eating Disorders” brought students and academicians together for joint efforts about the eating disorders and participants shared the results of recent researches and practices.
“CHOOSY EATING IS VERY COMMON IN TURKEY”
Dr. Gillian Harris, Consultant Psychologist at University of Birmingham, called attention to how children start liking foods. “When people are about to have a meal, they choose what to eat and adopt a reluctant approach and this is very common in Turkey. Subculture is the basis of foods in Turkey, just like in many regions. We are born with the knowledge of tastes. What mothers eat during the period when they breastfeed their children is also very important. Children should be acquainted with especially fruits and vegetables at a very early age,” Harris said.
LACK OF PLAYGROUNDS CAUSES OBESITY
Giving a speech about obesity and children, Dr. Jackie Blissett, Lecturer at University of Birmingham, underlined that there is an increase in unhealthy eating behaviors and people experience obesity problems as a result. She also advocated that people should make physical activities and the number of spaces that enable making physical activity should be increased as well. “In Istanbul, the number of playgrounds is very few and there is an environment that would be conducive for children to have obesity at early ages,” Blissett said. In addition, Dr. Jackie Blissett pointed out that children usually eat more frequently when they feel sad and nervous. “Also, mothers should not warn their children to finish their meals immediately because this causes excessive calories and weight,” Blissett added.
“YOU SHOULDN’T EAT BECAUSE OF STRESS”
Pointing out that mothers and fathers give food to their children when they get bored, Clinical Psychologist Gülin Güneri emphasized that especially children should not lose their control when eating. “Parents give a sweet food to their children when they fall. We should not allow them to make it a habit. Overeating disorder occurs when we emotionally feel nervous and angry and this is very dangerous,” Güneri added.
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