Kirsten Haglund's mother never thought she'd see the day that her daughter would be crowned as Miss America. In fact, just five years ago, Kirsten was so sick that her family's only focus was getting her healthy.

"From the time she was little, [Kirsten] wanted to be a ballerina... But it was her beloved ballet that triggered an eating disorder. While at a ballet camp as a 12-year-old, [Kirsten] realized she didn't have the typical dancer's body: short torso, long legs, and thin, thin, thin."

She decided to go on a diet, but it quickly turned obsessive. She was 15-years-old before she and her parents took her disorder seriously. After a year in therapy, she is recovering - but she admits that every day is still a battle. She has started the Kirsten Haglund Foundation to promote the message, "Love Your Body. Rock the World." and she intends to continue raising awareness about the dangers of eating disorders. Source: Belleville News - Democrat (IL)

Labels: awareness, dangers_of_eating_disorders

Posted By: Aspen Education Group