Susan Barry's son was thoughtful, kind and inclusive. He was also a perfectionist who died of anorexia nervosa. To honor the memory of her son, and raise awareness of the prevalence of eating disorders among teenage males, Barry is hosting a 5K race June 6 in Okemos, Michigan.

Barry said T.J. started out just wanting a six-pack of abdominal muscles. However, she said it got to a point where he couldn't stop obsessing over his weight. ... Her son, she noted, performed 1,000 sit-ups every morning and another 1,000 at night. (Source: Lansing State Journal)

The race is named after her son -- 5K4TJ -- and is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m., starting at Kinawa Middle School in Okemos. The fee is $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the race.

Though many people mistakenly believe that eating disorders only affect girls and women, cases of eating disorders among boys and men are becoming much more common.

Labels: boys, men, eating disorders

Posted By: Aspen/CRC