Home for the holidays: How to handle the “Freshman 15″

by: Dr. Lyndsay Elliott, guest medical blogger

myHealthyOC is happy to introduce our new guest blogger Dr. Lyndsay Elliott. Dr. Lyndsay, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist who specializes in food and body image issues out of her Newport Beach office. We believe these topics are incredibly important as eating disorders are rampant in Orange County. With Dr. Lyndsay’s expertise, we hope to help families in our community.

We’re excited to have her!

Coming Home From College for the Holidays: How to Handle the “Freshman 15”
Starting college is an exciting but overwhelming time for most young adults. Learning how to balance academics, a new social scene, and any work obligations can leave self-care in a place of neglect.

Even with the welcomed change of “leaving the nest,” transitions are a difficult time for most people, and learning how to nourish oneself without the conveniences of home can be a challenge.

When your child comes from college for holiday break you may notice that they have gained weight. Anxiety sets in because you’re concerned about how your child is taking care of themselves, what or if to say anything about the change, and yet not wanting to avoid dealing with possible issues that are associated with their changing body.

Below you will find some strategies in dealing with such issues to help alleviate the stress as well as to provide support for your loved one:

• Don’t assume that the weight gain is an issue. Perhaps their changing body is reflective of self-exploration, new freedom and fun that they are experiencing at college.
• Watch out for warning signs that your child is concerned about the changes in their body. How do they talk about it? Criticizing their bodies or complaining that nothing fits?
• Have a body composition test done by a professional. Is the new weight reflective (and appropriate) of any growth that has occurred or an increase in age?
• Spend consistent time with your child and be a good observer during meals. Are they eating intuitively or are there new behaviors that cause concern?
• Continue to monitor your child’s actions following meals. Are they drinking a lot of water, then disappearing or spending long periods of time in the bathroom? If you suspect that your child is purging, you should confront them with any worries.
• State any concerns in a loving and clear, but firm manner. If possible, use the same descriptors that they are using themselves (i.e. “I’ve gained so much weight”) to prevent them from accusing you of believing they are “fat.”
• Ask questions. How is your child making the transition in college? What are their stressors in school? Developing friendships or feeling lonely? Too involved with the social scene?
• Hold your child accountable for their actions and any commitments they make to increase their self-care.
• Praise any positive behaviors during this time of transition. Remember that they are still learning and continue to encourage in areas that are appropriate.
• The holidays are for spending quality time with loved ones and celebrating new milestones (i.e. college). Do not allow the weight gain to take away from such special and infrequent experiences, but rather enhance and build upon this new phase of their life. If your child needs more support, encourage them to seek out help from their college counseling center where they can receive (often
  free) support to cope with stressors, or specialized counseling in food and body image issues.

Lyndsay Elliott, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and maintains a boutique practice in Newport Beach. Dr. Lyndsay specializes in food and body image issues, and has been an expert in the field since 1996. Dr. Lyndsay posts relevant information on her blog at www.DrLyndsayElliott.com, on Twitter @DrLyndsay. and Facebook at Dr. Lyndsay Elliott, Inc.