Because eating disorders primarily affect women, relatively little time has been spent trying to understand how the disorders express themselves in - and affect - men. The information that does exist seems to indicate that eating disorders and body image issues look very different in men than in women.

"According to Dr. [Peter} Rowan, there are also many men who have an unhealthy relationships with food who don't fit the diagnostic criteria - which are, of course, designed for women. For instance some men are obsessed with fitness, but not necessarily because they are trying to change their body shape. Some may, for example, become addicted to exercise in an attempt to live longer and avoid coronary heart disease."

As a result of these concerns, some men may develop disordered eating habits. The unique circumstances surrounding men's attitudes toward food and body image make diagnosing eating disorders difficult - but these difficulties don't mean that the disorders themselves don't exist. Source: Medical News Today

Labels: body_image, exercise, men

Mariana was diagnosed with an eating disorder four years ago. At its worst, the disease left her at 65 pounds and near death. Now, on a solid road to recovery, she is sharing her experience in the hopes that her story can help others avoid a similar experience.

"'When you have an eating disorder, you don't see what other people are seeing, you see that you're not perfect. My mom helped me to realize I was all skin and bones. She thought I was going to my deathbed. It was my mom and friends who helped me turn it around.'"

An increasing number of athletes are opening up about their experiences with eating disorders. What used to be a taboo subject is finally out in the light, where it can be exposed for the dangerous, life-threatening disease it is. Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Labels: athletes, awareness, recovery

One of the latest fads among the Hollywood elite is know as the "revenge diet." Celebrities like Reese Witherspoon and Kate Hudson are turning to diet and exercise in response to failed relationships; losing up to 2 dress sizes in the process.

"To suggest that there is glamour in women violently manipulating their bodies to 'get revenge' on former flames is a grotesque and damaging argument...There are so many wonderful people trying to fight [the epidemic], but until the media stops glorifying stick women, there's going to be a struggle."

Surveys have found that more than half of girls in grades seven through 12 are trying to lose weight, and have dieted within the past year. Though blame for eating disorders doesn't rest entirely on the media, it does send young girls the wrong message. Source: Times Colonist (Victoria, B.C., Canada)

Labels: celebrities, influences, role_models

Increasing numbers of young women are using Adderall to lose weight, according to an article in Allure Magazine. Author Judith Newman wrote that the fad for using a common drug prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder for weight loss began in Hollywood.

"When a high-profile celeb suddenly drops a lot of weight, the rumors start that she is on 'A,'" said Kym Douglas, author of The Black Book of Hollywood Diet Secrets. "It isn't a secret among top stylists and makeup artists who work with celebrities."

It is uncertain how Adderall works, except that it somehow inhibits the uptake of three brain chemicals - dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin - so that they remain in synapses longer. Like all stimulants, Adderall causes a feeling of euphoria and a loss of appetite.

Some pediatricians are already prescribing it to obese children.

Dr. Fuad Ziai, a pediatric endocrinologist in Oak Lawn, Illinois, said that 90 percent of young patients on Adderall lost weight. He believes the side effects of Adderall - headache, irritability, mood swings, and increased heart rate - are not as bad as putting children at risk for diabetes and other problems because they are overweight.

Adderall is relatively easy for teens to obtain either through friends who have prescriptions for it or from illegal Internet pharmacies. Some use it not only for weight loss, but also to get high. By crushing and grinding time-released Adderall, they receive a bigger "rush" and maximum appetite suppression.

Labels: adderall, drugs

If New York Fashion Week is any indicator, the fashion industry might finally be moving in the right direction: toward health and away from super-thin, unhealthy models. Runways saw fewer size zeros and more sizes two and four.

"That is a small relief to those who have brought attention to the cause of eating disorders in the fashion world, though many say there's a long way to go. 'I saw a few that looked better,' said Finola Hughes, host of "How do I Look?" on the Style Network."

The Council of Fashion Designers of America has held workshops on eating disorders and discouraged the use of models under the age of 16, both of which are small but important steps. Eating disorders in the fashion industry have gotten increased attention since 2006, when two models died from complications linked to anorexia. Source: The Associated Press

Labels: fashion, influences, modeling

The stress of college is causing thousands of students - most of them female - to develop unhealthy eating patterns that could become eating disorders. Studies show that about one in five college students is bulimic, while about one in ten is anorexic - numbers that are dramatically higher than the general population.

"College is a time when many eating disorders can reappear or develop due to a variety of reasons. Some of them include fear of the 'freshman 15,' close living conditions where pressure to be thin is intensified, coping with more stress and living in a new environment, unlimited access to food in the dining hall, and sports, where they feel the need to be a certain weight to be successful."

Holly Grishkat, psychological director at the Renfrew Center, says that eating issues for many college students are not about weight, but about coping - with stress, loneliness or anxiety. If you or someone you know is struggling with disordered eating habits, get help right away before the behavior becomes a life-threatening illness. Source: The Cabrini College Loquitur

Labels: causes of eating disorders, colleges, stress

The National Organization for Women has named Oct. 15 as National Love Your Body Day. The day was created to bring attention to the negative and harmful pressure women and young girls are under to be ultra-thin and ultra-beautiful.

"On Oct. 15, NOW chapters and campus and community activists across the country are celebrating Love Your Body Day with actions and events... Some communities are holding mentoring workshops promoting self-esteem among women and girls, while several campuses are organizing 'Girls Night In' events to discuss safety on and off campus."

Though many of the events took place on college campuses, women everywhere were encouraged to participate simply by getting together and encouraging one another to love the bodies they're in, rather than idolize the unrealistic bodies portrayed by the media and fashion industry. Source: National Organization for Women

Labels: awareness, pressures, society

In an effort to reduce the risk of eating disorders among its students, Harvard University is removing calorie counters from its dining hall.

"The school posted a blog on the issue: 'We need to address the challenge a quiet and surprisingly large contingent of our community faces with eating disorders. Those individuals place an undue emphasis on calories...'"

Student response was mixed, with some thinking it's a good idea, and others believing that students with eating disorders will simply get calorie information elsewhere. Source: CW56 News (Cambridge, MASS)

Labels: calorie_restriction, colleges, support

The prescription drug Adderall is used to treat narcolepsy and hyperactivity, but people who struggle with eating disorders have begun using the drug for weight loss. This type of misuse is dangerous - and potentially deadly.

"While it is a stimulant, it has a calming effect on patients. But if abused, it can raise blood pressure and heart rate - which can be fatal."

Dr. Mary Tantillo, director of the Eating Disorder Center at the University of Rochester, has seen this type of drug abuse in her patients. Taken in high doses, Adderall has effects similar to cocaine, with the same potential for lethal overdoses. Source: WHAM Channel 13 News (NY)

Labels: abuse, adhd, drugs

In a move that mirrors the actions of many state legislatures, the U.S. Congress has approved a sweeping mental health bill that requires insurers to provide the same level of coverage for mental illnesses as they do for physical illnesses. The bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.) and Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.), both of whom have struggled with alcohol or drug addictions.

"Typical annual limits include 30 visits to a doctor or 30 days of hospital care for treatment of a mental disorder. Under the legislation passed yesterday, those limits would no longer be allowed if the insurer had no limits on treatment for medical conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees would be exempt."

The only remaining obstacle is the $3.4 billion in lost tax revenue to the federal government. It's unclear whether details can be worked out before Congress recesses. Source: Washington Post

Labels: legislation, mental_health

In Auckland, New Zealand, there are no inpatient facilities for eating disorder treatment. Local patients are currently being sent to Sydney, Australia - but that could soon change.

"Plans for a regional service provided by Auckland District Health Board, with funding from Waitemata and Counties-Manukau are now being considered by the Health Ministry."

Funding is complicated because more than one health board is involved, and no timeframe has been released. Still, local residents are hopeful that those who need it will soon be able to find treatment closer to home. Source: Western Leader (NZ)

Labels: health, support, treatment

Experts say that if dolls like Barbie or the Bratz linewere living, breathing women, their proportions would make them disabled. The dolls have stick-thin arms, waists that are less than half the size of their heads, and disproportionately large breasts.

"Dietitians Association of Australia spokeswoman Tania Ferraretto said the 'unrealistic' body shapes had a 'huge impact' on women, but more so on children. 'If you speak to adults, everyone will say we know it's not realistic... but it has a subliminal impact,' she said."

Though some say children are more influenced by the images of models in magazines, they still agree that Barbie and dolls like her can set unrealistic body image expectations for the little girls who play with them. Source: The Advertiser (Australia)

Labels: influences, media_influences, role_models

Increasing numbers of young women are using Adderall to lose weight, according to an article in Allure magazine. Author Judith Newman wrote that the fad for using a drug that is commonly prescribed for Attention Deficit Disorder as a means to weight loss began in Hollywood.

"When a high-profile celeb suddenly drops a lot of weight, the rumors start that she is on 'A,'" said Kym Douglas, author of The Black Book of Hollywood Diet Secrets. "It isn't a secret among top stylists and makeup artists who work with celebrities."

It is uncertain how Adderall works, except that it somehow inhibits the uptake of three brain chemicals - dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Like all stimulants, Adderall causes a feeling of euphoria and a loss of appetite.

Some pediatricians are already prescribing it to their obese young patients.

Dr. Fuad Ziai, a pediatric endocrinologist in Oak Lawn, Illinois, said that 90 percent of young patients on Adderall lost weight. He believes the side effects of Adderall - such as headache, irritability, mood swings, and increased heart rate - are not as bad as putting children at risk for diabetes and other problems because they are overweight.

Adderall is relatively easy for teens to obtain either through friends who have prescriptions for it or from illegal Internet pharmacies. Some use it not only for weight loss but also to get high. By crushing and grinding time-released Adderall capsules, they receive a bigger "rush" and maximum appetite suppression.

Labels: drugs, media_influences, medications