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male
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anonymous
writes: I am worried about my 14-year-old son. In his bedroom I had found a load of uneaten sausages and McDonald's burgers, and the stench was so foul I felt sick almost!I asked him why he collected sausages and fast food, and he said that collecting them was the thing that made him most happy.He said the items he collected "are of great historical importance" and that as long as he never eats them, he will never become obese.Won't he get health problems from this sort of hobby?? What do I do?? I am worried he has no social life and friends, as he didn't give an answer when I asked him "What do your friends think of this?"Craig a concerned dad from Urmston, Greater Manchester, UK Reply to this Question
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female
reader, eyeswideopen  +, writes (29 November 2005):
 Food hording is a sign of anorexia nervosa. It is a control issue. I suggest you talk to his physician and get the name of a psychologist who specializes in adolescent eating disorders and make an appointment for your son. It's a difficult disorder to treat and the sooner you get started the better.
A
female
reader, Lzavmon03 +, writes (29 November 2005):
 You know what, I coudl actually see his reasoning behind his collecion of food because it seems to me that he is using these pieces of food as trophies to show he can have self-control and not eat these things that he thinks are unhealthy and will make him fat. It seems to me he has a fear of being fat, and maybe doesn't wnat to be mean and turn down food he's given but he also doesn't wnat to put that in his body. In my opinion, it seems like he's trying to enact control over his eating, but it comes out in a starnge way that I think you should consider seeing a counselor, because he may have underlying issues with food that may manifest themselves into really unhealthy behaviors later on in life. He must ahve heard of the "obesity epidemic" and how it's mostly targeted to his age group and how McDonald's food is linked to making children fat. I used to do somethng similar, although I threw away food that I thought would make me fat and I had a difficult time trying to eat without having those fears of getting fat or getting a heart attack and my folks brought me to a counselor and I eventually was able to work through it. Although, on the other hand, this may be just a one-time episode or acting out, but I wouldn't take it too lightly nevertheless. I think he has thought of all these things and dealt with it the best he can. If he's spending too much time indoors or concerned overly with his health or appearance, I say it would be time t gently intoroduce him to more proactive activities like clubs or 4-H or maybe this is a way of getting your attention so you'll spend more time with him and really be truly interested in stuff that he likes. Perhaps he's trying to get you to notice him so you'll spend more time with him. Try taking at least 30 minutes out of your day and talking to him about naything he wants, and maybe his collecting food will stop once he knows he doesn't need to do that to get you to pay attention to him anymore...that is also closely connected as to why he isn't very sociable or doesn't have a lot of friends..maybe he feels too weird to be a part of social activities, but encuragement and unconditional love and support from the person he looks up to the most: his father, will help him give him the confidence he needs to be able to amke more friends. Hope this helps.
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female
reader, Ftuley +, writes (28 November 2005):
 That is something you should keep a close eye to.At that age kids are so concerned about the body, they stop eating most times is too late when someone does something about it.I have been reading so much about that lately that i can `t believe what goes on out there in this kids heads.Keep an eye on him make sure he is eating.
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male
reader, Tim +, writes (28 November 2005):
 Try to spend more time with him and try to explain to him in a friendly way nobody is collecting McDonald's burgers in their bedroom only some in wild when they hunt and can't eat it at once and it is too cold they collect it or keep it and then later on. He lives in 21st century never in the dark ages to collect his burgers in his bedroom plus he cant' make any money if he has a collection of all junk food try to encourage him to collect something more interest worth collecting stamps, money, football shirt and stuff like that, never fight with teenagers be very friendly dad, oh yeah he must socialise in order to learn from other teenagers of same age.Good luck dad
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