Though it seems contrary to something like anorexia, excessive baking may actually indicate an eating disorder. Baking alone isn't cause for worry, but could be a warning sign if accompanied with other symptoms.

"...some persons with eating disorders may get vicarious pleasure from watching others eat, and enjoy being in control while others give in to fattening foods."

Other indicators of an eating disorder can include an obsession with exercise, overly-picky eating, and changes in personality.

Read more at Newswise.com.

The HBO documentary "Thin" follows the lives of several women who struggle with eating disorders. Though the film paints a dark picture, staff at Remuda Ranch, the nation's leading inpatient eating disorder treatment center, says eating disorders are more treatable than ever. Edward Cumella, PhD and executive director of performance management says that recovery rates are higher now than they have been in the past.

"...recovery rates from Remuda Ranch include: 99 percent for adolescents with anorexia and 94 percent for adolescents with bulimia."

"Recovery" is equated with improved personal relationships, elimination of diagnosable symptoms, and improved performance in work or school.

Read more at Pharma-Lexicon.com

The Emily Program is a Minnesota-based treatment program for people with eating disorders. The Program announced on Monday that it is partnering with the Anna Westin House - the only eating disorders residential treatment center in Minnesota. The Emily Program will take over management of the house, which offers long-term treatment in a home-like setting.

"'The Emily Program is truly a leader when it comes to developing and implementing programs for individuals with all types of eating disorders," said Kitty Westin, Anna Westin's mother and the co-founder of the Anna Westin Foundation. "There is no better partner for us as we work to raise awareness and access to therapy for these dangerous illnesses.'"

No firm date for this merging of organizations and resources has yet been set.

Read more online.

With the recent deaths of two fashion models, and Madrid's decision to ban "ultra-thin" models, some in the medical community are concerned that the problems of anorexia and eating disorders are being over-simplified. Though the media (including Hollywood and the Fashion Industry) may help trigger eating disorders, it is by no means the cause.

"A 2005 study conducted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine identified six core traits that appear to be linked to genes associated with both anorexia and bulimia..."

There are currently several studies underway to determine causes of eating disorders. One study in particular suggests that genetic make-up may play a greater role that once believed.

Read more in the International Herald Tribune.

Model Ana Carolina Reston, 21, has died from complications caused by anorexia. At 5 feet 8 inches tall, Reston weighed just 88 pounds. She had recently been fired from a modeling job in Japan for being too thin.

"Reston was not famous but she had worked abroad, including in Japan. Her agency, L'Equipe of Brazil, said yesterday it had sent Reston to a specialist in eating disorders after she lost her job in Japan for being too thin, but she missed her appointments."

Her death turns all eyes back to the fashion industry, which has been heavily criticized for using "ultra-thin" models at the risk of the models' health and even lives. Reston's mother issued a statement following her daughter's death, pleading with parents to take care of their aspiring young models. Learm more from TheStar.com.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder is defined as a preoccupation with a non-existent or slight defect in appearance. People who suffer from BDD become obsessed over freckles, the shape of their nose, or their weight. Not all who are diagnosed with BDD have eating disorders, but many who have eating disorders can be diagnosed with BDD.

"BDD is a chronic condition and may lead a person to engage in extreme avoidance behaviors and might even lead to clinical depression and suicidal behavior. BDD usually begins in adolescence - a time when people are generally most sensitive about their appearance."

Parents of kids who struggle with BDD are encouraged not to offer too much reassurance, as it can actually make things worse. They are also advised against scheduling too many trips to dermatologists or plastic surgeons, as the real problem is not physical but psychological. Read more online.

Erica Esper started her dieting out of a desire to be healthy. Over time, however, what started as 'healthy' morphed into an obsession and an eating disorder. Many eating disorders begin this way. Dieters, and their families and friends should watch for warning signs that a diet has taken a turn for the worse.

"'Starting a diet should be taken seriously. They have to be monitored with equal concern,' said Cynthia Bulik, director of the eating disorders program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill."

Warning signs include isolation, and an obsession with calories. Learn more online.

In the fiction novel, Behind the Broken Image, Debra Cooper tells the story of three females who struggle with eating disorders. The novel is the first of its kind in which an eating disorder is at the heart of the story.

"To make her story as accurate as possible, Cooper spent countless hours observing therapy sessions and speaking with counselors from Remuda Ranch... the nation's leading treatment center for women and girls with eating disorders."

First released on September 26th, the book is available online at www.remudaranch.com. Learn more about the book from AZCentral.com.

Colleagues from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Oslo conducted a study of 18 women with anorexia nervosa. Their goal was to determine core issues or symptoms of anorexia.

"...the team identified eight core 'constructs' that play central functions in maintenance of anorexia nervosa. They are: security, avoidance, mental strength, self-confidence, identity, care, communication, and death."

Dr. Ragnfrid Nordbo, who led the study, believes that if therapists, doctors, and counselors are going to effectively treat those with anorexia, they must address these core issues. Read more online.

A recent study conducted by Stanford University shows that web-based eating disorder prevention programs may actually work. The study was conducted using 480 volunteers averaging 21 years old. Half the group participated in an eight-week on-line prevention program. The other half did not.

"A two-year follow up revealed... significant differences in two high-risk subgroups: students who were overweight and those who were already engaged in behaviors that can presage a full-blown disorder..."

This study was the first of it's kind to prove that prevention programs can effectively curb or halt eating disorders in high-risk groups. Read more from the Denver Post.

The University of Minnesota conducted a study that revealed increased uses of diet pills among teenage girls. The number of high-school aged girls using pills for weight control or loss has nearly doubled in the last five years, to 14 percent.

"Dr. [Martin] Harrington says over-the-counter diet pills are designed for adults and can often be harmful to a teenage body."

It has been Dr. Harrington's experience that a teenager who's taking diet pills is often doing other thing to control or loose weight. Some of these things could be unhealthy. Teenagers may try to hide their use of diet pills; so try to keep an eye on your child's spending. Diet pills are expensive, and if your teen has nothing to show for unusually high spending habits, start asking questions. Learn more online.

Ever since the Madrid fashion show banned female models deemed "too thin," many people, both in and outside the media, have turned their attention to the media's negative effects on a woman's body image. But in the flurry of stories, opinions, and blogs, one important thing has been overlooked - men struggle with body image issues, too.

"In a study's results published in the spring and recently featured in Seed magazine, [researcher Deborah] Schooler... and a colleague looked at 184 male college students. The more media these young men 'consumed'... the worse they felt about those 'real' aspects of their bodies..."

The "real" aspects are things like sweat, body hair, and body odor; things that concern men far more than body weight or size. Ads by companies like Abercrombe are built around Adonis-like male physics that leave some young men feeling inadequate and dissatisfied with their own bodies. Read more online.