Britain's Channel 4 is going to air a show called "Super-Skinny Me: The Race to Size Zero", in an attempt to document the many health risks associated with extreme weight-loss.

"The channel said it hoped the findings would provoke the same type of debate as Morgan Spurlock's documentary film "Super Size Me," which showed the health effects of a month long binge on fast food."

A Channel 4 spokesman says that expert medical attention will be given to the participants to ensure their health is not at risk, but some members of the health and psychiatric community still have reservations about the idea.

The decision by Madrid's Fashion Week organizers to exclude models whose Body Mass Index is too low has been applauded around the world. But what is Body Mass Index, and how is it calculated? Is it really an accurate gauge of whether someone may have an eating disorder? The Eating Disorders Association has posted a short article about BMI and what is it.

"It can be a useful guide to both risk and recovery in adults, but is very much less helpful as an indicator in children."

The article gives a general range for healthy BMI in adults, and BMI that could be cause for concern.

Suspecting that your child may have or be developing an eating disorder is a frightening thing. Knowing how to react can be tough. Your desire to protect your child may come across as your trying to dictate to or control your child. HealthyPlace.com has gathered together some suggestions for effectively talking with your child about his or her eating habits.

"Talking about your child's eating disorder may be extremely difficult for both you and your child; however, it's better to confront the issues and negative feelings."

Family involved is not only important when discussing a potential eating disorder, but is also vital if your child is recovering from an eating disorder. Positive ways for the family to be involved and helpful during recovery are included in the article as well.

The National Eating Disorders Association has compiled a list of 50 ways you can help the young people in your life develop a healthy body image and prevent them from developing eating disorders.

"Individuals involved with youth and adolescents, such as educators, parents, health professionals, and physicians can prevent the further development of issues and concerns regarding weight through their own actions and words of encouragement toward healthful eating practices and attitudes."

The list includes suggestions such encouraging your child to eat in response to body hunger, and being a critical consumer of the media - challenging messages that link appearance with success or happiness.

A new book by Leslie Goldman can be a great resource for those who struggle with eating disorders and unhealthy body images. Locker Room Diaries is an in-depth study into the ways that women view their bodies - both positive and negative.

"Using her own stories as a springboard, she asks them what goes into shaping not just their bodies but their body image... She hears from women who follow compulsive workout schedules and make daily dates with the scale..."

Though she does talk with many women who simply don't like the way they look, she also has many conversations with women who have learned to appreciate every curve and wrinkle. The book promises to be a valuable resource, teaching women to re-define "beauty" and learn to love what they see when they look in the mirror.

Girls Boarding Schools, like COPPER CANYON ACADEMY, can help girls with low self-esteem and poor body image. Learn more about COPPER CANYON ACADEMY today >>

In an unprecedented move last week, the organizers of Madrid's fashion week made a bold decision to refuse models whose Body Mass Index (BMI) was lower than 18. The decision gained worldwide attention as the Madrid organizers became the first in the fashion world to publicly criticize the use of model who were too thin and potentially not healthy. Organizations in others cities may follow suit.

"British eating disorder experts yesterday called for a new law under health and safety legislation that would ban the use of models under a certain body size. They said that after years of promising to clean up its act voluntarily, the fashion industry had to be forced into protecting both the health of the models it uses, and the impact their images can have on impressionable young girls and women."

In addition, Milan, often considered the center of the fashion industry, announced last week that it will be imposing a similar ban on models used for its upcoming fashion week.

Student Body President Lizzi Shappell and the Student Senate Gender Issues Committee have taken it upon themselves to organize a three-day conference to address eating disorders. The conference will take place in February on the Notre Dame campus.

"Junior Ashley Weiss, chair of the Gender Issue Committee said one of the conference's most important objectives is to create awareness among administrators and faculty members who seem reluctant to address an issue that affects so many students of both sexes."

One of the student organizers is currently in Washington D.C., meeting some of the participants of national eating disorders panel. The final speaker roster for the conference is still to be determined, but the organizers plan to include medical experts, psychologists, and authors.

In an event that's unprecedented for the fashion world, organizers of the Madrid Fashion Week have turned away models because they're too thin. The fashion show was highly criticized last year because some of the models were literally bone-thin, so this year it agreed to promote a healthier image.

"The association said Friday it wanted models at the show... to project 'an image of beauty and health', and shun the gaunt, emaciated look."

As encouraging as it is to know that the organizers were willing to take this step, it's equally encouraging to know that the Madrid regional government requested the change. The show's organizers used a mathematical formula to calculate body mass. Models whose body mass was under a certain index were not accepted for the show.

Read the full story online.

Illinois State University's on-line newspaper ran a story today about the influence a mom has over her daughter's look and body image. Reporter Lauren Sakol talked to college students and campus counselors about the messages moms can send, sometimes unintentionally, about weight and body image.

"According to Jenni Thome, staff psychologist for student counseling services, one of the main things for mothers to watch out for is the way they talk about their own bodies."

While moms have a responsibility to make sure their daughters are eating healthy and engaging in physical activity, being too strict or judgmental about either one can negatively impact a young girl's ideas of health and beauty. The article emphasizes the importance of balancing a healthy lifestyle with realistic expectations and a healthy body image.

Researchers at the University of Columbia recently conducted a study on the psychological effects caused by pro-anorexia web sites. They studied the reactions of 24 women ages 18-20 to three different web sites: one was a fashion site with average-size models, one was a home-decorating page, and the third was a typical pro-anorexia page.

"... the pro-anorexia site caused substantially negative changes in subjects' mind-sets."

The effects weren't surprising, but very telling considering the fact that each participant only viewed the web-site once. This suggests that repeated exposure to such web site could cause significant psychological damage.

If you're a parent, friend, guardian, or other caregiver for someone with an eating disorder, it can be easy to loose yourself in the day-to-day business of caring for that individual. While it's commendable, it can be hazardous to your own mental and/or physical health. Grainne Smith's book Anorexia and Bulimia in the Family discuses the importance of taking time out for you. Some of those suggestions are outlined in an article from the Institute of Psychiatry at the Maudsley.

"It is not selfish or indulgent to take time to look after yourself, to 'come up for air' regularly; it is essential for both you and the person you are trying to support."

Among her suggestions are having a personal haven or personal space to where you can retreat, taking time out for coffee with friends, or taking up a hobby.