Eating Disorders Help Guide

Welsh Study Reveals Pervasive Misunderstanding of Eating Disorders

New research out of Wales has revealed that a shockingly high number of people still have gross misconceptions about eating disorders and their causes.

"A survey commissioned by the charity Beat reveals that one in five people in Wales do not believe that eating disorders are a serious mental health problem. And a quarter of people questioned in Wales believe that people only get eating disorders because they want to lose weight." [Source: Wales Online]

The study also found that many people think eating disorders are just a teenage “fad,” something kids will grow out of as they get older. The survey results are disappointing, and prove that there is still much work to be done to help people understand the true nature of eating disorders.

Labels: awareness, research

Eating Disorder Awareness Events in Orange County, N.Y.

According to a Feb. 3 post on the website of the Times Herald-Record newspaper, the following organizations in Orange County, New York, will be sponsoring eating disorder-themed events during February:

An educational workshop, "One Size Doesn't Fit All," presented by Susan Piowaty, social worker, 9 a.m.-noon Feb. 24 at the Orange County Emergency Services Center, 22 Wells Farm Road, Goshen. Registration is required; call 342-2400.
The office of Dr. Michelle Winchester Vega & Associates at 339 Blooming Grove Turnpike, New Windsor, will have a literature table available for the month. Additionally, Dianna Chillo will provide a question-and-answer session from noon-1 p.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 23.
The next meeting of the Eating Disorders Coalition will take place at 9 a.m. April 13 at the Mental Health Association office. Anyone who would like to join the prevention and education effort is invited. The coalition meets the second Tuesday of every month. For more information, call 342-2400.

Labels: awareness

After Daughter's Death, Dad Works to Raise Eating Disorder Awareness

After Vince Withers lost his daughter to an eating disorder, he started the Newfoundland and Labrador Eating Disorders Foundation. This week, the foundation is hosting numerous events aimed at raising awareness about -- and de-stigmatizing -- eating disorders.

"Having gone through this personally, I would suggest to families that they be very aware to changes in personality of their adolescents," Withers told CBC News. "People with an eating disorder will have noticeable changes in terms of mood, self esteem, school, in terms of having their friends around them."

Withers estimates that there are about 8,000 families in the Newfoundland/Labrador area with families members who are struggling with eating disorders. He hopes to bring the issue out in the open so people who need help can get it.

Labels: awareness, daughters, fathers

Eating Disorder Organizations Promote 'Health at Any Size'

The Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDH) recently joined with national and international eating disorder organizations in urging people to focus on overall health, rather than their weight.

A PRWeb release provided the following information about the ASDH effort:

Last week the Academy for Eating Disorders, Binge Eating Disorder Association, Eating Disorders Coalition, International Association for Eating Disorders Professionals and National Eating Disorders Association issued an unprecedented joint press release expressing concern that strategies in the global "war on obesity" fuel weight prejudice and contribute to negative self-esteem, body dissatisfaction and eating-disordered behavior.

The ASDH echoes the concerns of these organizations and aims to educate people on the multi-dimensionality of health and well-being.

Labels: awareness, health

Increasing Awareness of Binge Eating Disorder

Discussions about eating disorders typically revolve around anorexia and bulimia. News stories tell of girls who starve themselves - sometimes literally - to death.

But, as the website MediLexicon indicates, anorexia and bulimia are not the only types of eating disorders affecting adults and young people today:

Binge eating disorder typically includes periods of excessive overeating. However, a person with a binge eating disorder does not subsequently induce purging (vomiting), as is the case with bulimia. ... A person with binge eating disorder feels compelled to eat too much. Individuals will consume enormous quantities of food, even when they are not hungry.

Individuals who are suffering from binge eating disorder often feel like they have no control over their eating, even though – after binging – they often feel disgusted and guilty. Binge eating can cause hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. Though it doesn’t get as much attention as other eating disorders, it can be just as deadly.

Labels: awareness, binge eating

To Honor Lost Friend, Anorexia Patient Intends to Raise Awareness, Help Others

Kaylin Ohler says the news that her friend Hilary Pyle died from anorexia took her breath away. Kaylin, 20, and Hilary, 19, had become friends while in the same eating disorder treatment program.

According to a Nov. 25 article on the website of Omaha-based ABC affiliate KETV, Ohler hopes to use her story – and that of her lost friend – to raise awareness about anorexia and help others who are also struggling with eating disorders:

Ohler said she and Pile formed a special bond after meeting in an anorexia treatment program. She said her personal battle started in fifth grade when she started studying food labels instead of doing her homework.

"I always just kind of had a low self-esteem and it was a way for me to feel better about myself and gain some control," she said.

She said she still struggles with the disease."As far as telling somebody to just stop, just eat, I wish it was that simple, but it's not," Ohler said.

Between studies at [the University of Nebraska at Omaha], Ohler said she plans to start support groups and help build more awareness about anorexia. In the meantime, she said she wears a bracelet everyday that was a gift from her old friend.

Labels: awareness, support

Photography Exhibit Offers Glimpse into World of Anorexia

Washington State University Tri-City students are about to get a unique glimpse into the struggles and dangers of anorexia. A Nov. 6 release on the WSU website provided the following details about a photography exhibit that will open later this month:

“Skeleton in the Closet” features 20 portraits by art photographer Fritz Liedtke of Portland, Ore. Each portrait is accompanied by a statement from the person in the photograph. The artist combined photographs and text to create a compelling narrative of life with an eating disorder, including what could lead a person down the path and the journey to free oneself.

The exhibit is open in The Art Center, inside the WSU Tri-Cities Consolidated Information Center, 2770 University Drive, Richland. Admission is free.

A reception at 12 p.m. Nov. 16 features an informational talk about eating disorders, delivered by Phyllis Morris, academic director of the WSU Tri-Cities College of Nursing. The talk is open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

“Skeleton in the Closet” runs through Nov. 30. The Art Center’s regular hours are 12 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, although campus is closed for holidays on Nov. 11, Nov. 26 and Nov. 27.

Labels: anorexia, art, awareness, photography

Notre Dame Groups Promote Body Image, Eating Disorder Awareness

Five campus organizations have united to present Body Image and Eating Disorder Week at the University of Notre Dame. The weeklong campaign, which started Oct. 1, includes panel discussions, art exhibits and even movie screenings.

An Oct. 2 article by Nora Kenney of The Observer Online provided the following information about the awareness effort:

The event began on Thursday with the "Love Your Body, Love Thee Notre Dame" poster campaign as well as a guided tour of the "Thin" exhibit with Steve Moriarty, Curator of Photography at the Snite Museum.

"I'm just really excited about this week, and the reason I'm so excited is that there is unity in trying to get this message out," Mandy Lewis, president of Feminist Voice, said. Lewis said eating disorders and negative body images are both huge issues on campus as well as in society.

"The whole point of this week is to tell you that you're not alone. This is a huge problem," she said. "This is not just an individual problem. This is a reflection of societal problems."

Labels: awareness, body image, eating disorders

Canadian Woman Biking to Raise Awareness about Anorexia

A woman from Prince George, British Columbia, is embarking on a 450-mile journey to raise awareness about anorexia. Tara Levis is biking in memory of a friend who died recently after a long battle with the disease.

"My main goal, however, is to raise the public's awareness of this issue and to challenge the stigma around eating disorders and mental illness," Levis told the Prince George Citizen. "I hope my journey inspires those who are suffering in silence to realize that there is no shame in reaching out and asking for help before it is too late."

Tara will depart from Prince George Aug. 10 and plans to arrive in Maple Ridge Aug 23. All donations will benefit the Looking Glass Foundation, a summer camp for young people who are struggling with eating disorders.

Labels: anorexia, awareness

Students Create Audio Documentary about Eating Disorders

Two students at St. Olaf (Minn.) College who are also eating disorder survivors have created an audio documentary that they hope will raise awareness about the disorder and encourage those who are suffering in silence to get the help they need.

In a May 12 article on the website of the Northfield News, writer David Henke reported on the efforts of St. Olaf students Erika Greiner and Elizabeth Rooklidge:

It started in seventh grade, Greiner recalled. She stopped eating for days at a time, and if she ever felt like she ate too much, she would run compulsively -- sometimes up to 15 miles a day -- until she felt better about herself.

The anorexia got so bad in high school, Greiner said, that she would pack a turkey sandwich for lunch to fool her parents and friends, and then secretly take the turkey and cheese off the sandwich, leaving only the lettuce and bread. Then she would take a bite or two of the bread, and, worried about eating too much, throw the rest away.

Greiner and Rooklidge interviewed six other women at St. Olaf who suffered from eating disorders for the 30-minute documentary, which is composed of a series of frank and moving audio clips charting each woman's struggle with her disorder.

"My hope with this is to give everyone who doesn't understand what it's like some insight," Greiner said in the Northfield News article. "And for anyone who is struggling, I hope that they will see that there is hope out there."

Labels: awareness, eating disorders

Author Calls for Insurance to Cover Eating Disorder Treatment

In a May 6 commentary on the website Tennessean.com, the author of the eating disorder memoirs Life Without Ed and Goodbye Ed, Hello Me called for a comprehensive effort to eradicate eating disorders. E.D. survivor Jenni Schaefer wrote that improved education, better-funded research efforts, and greater insurance coverage are essential weapons in the fight against anorexia, bulimia, and related disorders:

Without help, many people [who have eating disorders] struggle for years and, if they do survive, they end up with serious long-term health consequences.

We have our work cut out for us if we care about turning these stories around. First, we must fight for insurance coverage to include eating disorders in every state. We must also call on Congress to insist that the National Institute of Mental Health significantly increase funding for research of eating-disorder treatment and prevention. In the U.S., eating disorders are much more common than Alzheimer's disease, but receive only a fourth of the amount of research funding.

Several other experts and advocates have noted that challenges related to awareness and financial resources prevent many people from accessing effective treatment for eating disorders.

Labels: awareness, eating disorders, insurance

Dentists may be First to Spot Eating Disorders

Parents don't always recognize the signs of an eating disorder in their child, and often don't become aware of the problem until the child is extremely sick. But a routine dental check-up can provide important clues.

"Key signs of a potential eating disorder include bad breath, sensitive teeth, enamel that is worn and appears translucent, mouth sores, dry mouth, cracked lips, bleeding gums along with a tender mouth, throat and salivary glands."

Dr. Katina Morelli, dental director for Delta Dental of Illinois, says the organization's policy is for dentists to encourage patients with eating disorder symptoms to seek help. Delta Dental provides counseling referrals as well. Source: About.com

Labels: awareness, dentists, diagnosis

University of Alabama Raising Awareness of Eating Disorders

Seven organizations on the campus of the University of Alabama have joined forces to raise awareness about the prevalence and dangers of eating disorders. Several events have been planned, including a fashion show and a blue jean drive.

"The goal this week is trifold," said Student Health Center dietician Lori Greene. "Increase awareness and education about eating disorders, promote a positive body image, and inform students of the resources that are here on UA's campus for someone that may be suffering from disordered eating."

In addition to the big events, tables were scheduled to be set up throughout the campus to provide information about eating disorders, including where and how people can get help. Source: The Crimson White

Labels: awareness, colleges

Miss America 2008 Speaks Out about Eating Disorder

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

Questionnaire Helps Docs Diagnose Eating Disorders

Young people often suffer in silence from eating disorders, but a treatment center in Birmingham, England, hopes to change that by equipping general practitioners with a questionnaire aimed at helping them recognize the disorders.

"Sent to 2,000 GPs across the region, the checklist containing five questions about feelings and behavior towards food is designed to help GPs spot problems and ensure patients receive vital treatment as soon as possible."

Though they may not mention the eating habits directly, people with eating disorders often go to their doctors with medical issues related to their disorder. The better equipped a doctor is at confirming suspicions of an eating disorder, the sooner the patient can get the most effective treatment. Source: Sutton Coldfield (UK) News

Labels: awareness, diagnosis, doctors

'BLING' can Help Kids Overcome Eating Disorders

"Bling" is a slang used to describe fancy jewelry - real or fake - that is worn by young men and women. In Kansas City, Kansas, the word is also an acronym for a program being used to teach them about eating disorders.

"BLING stands for Building Liberated Insightful Girls. It's a multi-dimensional educational program created for adolescents to work proactively to prevent eating disorders in young girls."

The goal of the program is to teach kids how to respect and appreciate their bodies - no matter their size or shape. It is currently available in several Kansas City school districts. Source: KSHB-TV News (KS)

Labels: awareness, education, prevention

Documentary Depicts Dangers of Beauty Obsession

A new documentary titled "America the Beautiful" tells the story of Gerren Taylor, a young girl who lived the dream of so many young girls by becoming a fashion model. But by her early teens, her career dissipated as quickly as it had developed, and Taylor was told that, as a size 4, she was too big for the runway.

"'America the Beautiful,' the third film and first documentary by Chicago-based [Darryl] Roberts, is a questioning, broad-ranging look at the culture of beauty and physical perfection in the United States. Roberts' goal, as he describes it, was simple. He wanted to find out why Americans have become beauty-obsessed."(The Buffalo News)

"We can get the hair extensions, the fake nails and makeup, and all that, but the real person's on the inside," Gerren told writer Elizabeth Kaye McCall. "If you have a great personality and can just be yourself, you're beautiful. If you think you're the bomb, you are the bomb."

Labels: awareness, modeling, perceptions

Model Warns Teenagers about Eating Disorders

When Katie Green appeared on a billboard in central London, she thought her modeling career was really taking off. But just a few weeks later, the agency representing her told her she'd have to lose about 30 pounds if she wanted to continue working with them.

"She immediately began trying to slim down her 5'10", [145 lb.] frame, going to the gym every day and cutting out carbohydrates... 'I lost seven pounds in just a few days but I became desperately unhappy... It was not worth sacrificing my health permanently.'"

Green left the modeling agency and gave an interview to a national newspaper in which she spoke out against the "size zero culture." She was quickly hired by another agency and is now the face of Ultimo underwear in the UK. Thankful that she didn't compromise her health in order to "make it", Katie has launched a "Say No to Size Zero" campaign aimed at helping young girls develop healthy body image not based on size or weight. Source: The Portsmouth (UK) News

Labels: awareness, modeling, pressures

Anonymous Online Teen Confesses to Potential Eating Disorder

In an anonymous blog, a teenager confessed that a weight loss effort that began with a desire to be healthy is slowly becoming something else. Her first goal was to lose 5 pounds. She's lost 10 and has set a new goal.

"115 is my goal. I want to show myself I have enough will power to get there. And that I'll be even HAPPIER when I get there. I still eat, I'm just trying to gain all of my self-control to get there."

She admitted concern over her increasing obsession with food and weight loss, but she still tried to convince herself that although she may be at risk, she's really OK. Source: Confession of a Teenager (blog)

Labels: awareness, control, dieting

Young Athlete Talks about her Eating Disorder

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

NOW Names Oct. 15 "Love Your Body Day"

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

The Terrible Cost of Bulimia

Becca's sister had suspected something was wrong. When she heard Becca throwing up in the bathroom, her suspicions were confirmed - Becca was struggling with bulimia. She immediately told her mom, and the two tried to get Becca some help.

"After months, the counselor told her family that the message just wasn't getting through and Becca was doing a lot of harm to her body. She has kidney problems, an ulcerated esophagus, bouts with chest pain, low blood pressure and is at risk of having a heart attack."

Becca is now in an inpatient program where her mom and sister are hoping she'll finally get the help she needs. Becca's family is sharing her story not only to raise awareness about bulimia but to bring attention to insurance companies who rarely cover eating disorder treatment. Source: The Daily Journal (MO)

Labels: awareness, family, support

A Regained Appetite for Life

Lucy Howard-Taylor battled anorexia for almost four years. It's been six months since she wished she was dead - and she is no longer convinced that she was ugly, worthless, and dull. She shares her battle in her new book, Biting Anorexia.

"It is the only memoir written by a recovered anorexic to be endorsed by the Eating Disorders Foundation of NSW [New South Wales] because it refuses to glamorize the disorder, highlighting instead the inner turmoil, loneliness and quiet desperation behind the denial of food. 'Usually I have nothing to do with these kinds of books because they can be damaging to sufferers, but as soon as I read this, I thought this will change lives,' the group's founder, Amanda Jordan, said yesterday."

It was difficult for Howard-Taylor to put her eating disorder battles onto paper, she said, but she felt she owed it to other girls who she knew were facing the same battle. Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

Labels: awareness, recovery, support

Documentary Explores Impact of Beauty Industry

America the Beautiful, Darryl Roberts' documentary about modeling, the health and beauty industry, and self-image, is a wake-up call - even for people to whom the information is not new. The 105-minute film takes a hard look at our societal standards of beauty, and the roles that certain industries play in setting that image.

"The film also follows the career a Gerren, a model who walked runways for Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs and Richard Tyler when she was 13, but was told she needed to be 'more skinny' by Parisian casting agents and had a meltdown before she was 15."

Editors from some of the top teen magazines are interviewed in the film, as are grade-school girls, who are asked how they feel when they see the "perfect" models on magazine covers. (Most of them answered that they feel "ugly.") America the Beautiful takes a hard look at the price we pay for "beauty," and asks hard questions about whether the result is worth the cost. Source: Jezebel.com

Labels: awareness, documentary, media_influences

Ad Firm Takes "Gritty" Approach in Eating Disorder Campaign

DDB Canada's Vancouver office has developed a multimedia campaign to raise awareness about the seriousness of eating disorders. Developed for The Looking Glass Foundation, the campaign includes public service announcements designed for television, radio, print, and online.

"The campaign tag line, 'Not every suicide note looks like a suicide note' refers to the insight that seemingly innocuous behaviors could be signs someone is suffering from an eating disorder that could kill them...Because of the seriousness of the disorder and the fact that many people do not take it seriously, DDB wanted to introduce an element of shock value into the campaign using real-life stories."

DDB's associate creative director and its copywriter conducted extensive research on eating disorders, including interviews with several victims and their families. All of the ads include a call to action, and direct people to The Looking Glass Foundation for additional information Source: >Marketing magazine

Labels: awareness, media_influences, positive_messages, pro-ana

Students Learn Different Kind of Lesson

Maude LeClerc, a 14-year-old Florida high school freshman, wanted her fellow students to understand both the prevalence and dangers of eating disorders. So she invited former Miss Florida, Allison Kreiger, in to speak about her non-profit organization H.O.P.E.

"...H.O.P.E., or Helping Other People Eat, [is] a nonprofit organization that works to prevent eating disorders and help pay for treatment for teens who otherwise couldn't afford it."

Kreiger, who struggled with both anorexia and bulimia in high school, founded H.O.P.E. seven years ago; Le Clerc is a junior board member. Krieger estimates that she has spoken to more than 25,000 students since creating the organization. Source: Sun-Sentinel

Labels: awareness, dangers_of_eating_disorders, prevention

Former Deputy Prime Minister Admits to Bulimia

John Prescott, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Scotland, has publicly admitted to a decade-long battle with bulimia. He revealed the information in hopes he could encourage others who struggle with the illness to get help.

"Mr. Prescott, whose autobiography is out next month, said he had decided to go public to help others. He said: 'I suffered from bulimia for about ten years. I want to say to millions of people who suffer from bulimia in silence to be more open about it and seek medical help, as I did.'"

In his memoirs, Prescott recalls resorting to binge eating as a way of coping with stress. He'd feel guilty about the overeating and would later purge everything. He also recalls feeling a "weird kind of pleasure" in vomiting. Prescott has been free from bulimia for about a year. Source: The Scotsman

Located in Vermont, Bromley Brook New England boarding schools for girls prides themselves on helping today's girls become tomorrow's leaders.

Labels: awareness, binge_eating, support

Eating Disorders Take Center Stage

The 2008 International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Symposium (iaedp ™) is set to meet April 3-6 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Over 400 eating disorder-related clinicians and professionals are expected to attend.

"Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund will speak on Thursday at the iaedp™ Awards Banquet and Opening General Session about her experience and recovery from anorexia, as a young teen, which is the catalyst for her platform on eating disorder awareness."

The iaedp ™ was established in 1985 and offers a wide array of educational and training opportunities for health care professionals who work with eating disorders.Read more online at www.prnewswire.com.

Labels: awareness, recovery, research

Student Speaks Up and Reaches Out

Tara Gilbride is a sophomore at Notre Dame. She's also one of the millions of U.S. females who struggle with an eating disorder. Last month, Tara decided she needed to "go public" with her eating disorder, in hopes of encouraging others who may feel ashamed to ask for help.

"'I know a lot of people who are struggling with eating disorders and think this is something they have to hide,' Gilbride, who battles anorexia, said. 'I feel comfortable letting [people] on campus know who don't feel comfortable that [an eating disorder is] not a shameful thing to be struggling with.'"

Tara has heard from several Notre Dame students who either have an eating disorder or know someone who does. Tara hopes her letter will give her a platform from which to dispel some of the misconceptions about eating disorders. Read more at NDMCObserver.com.

Getting support for an eating disorder or other teen issues is important for recovery. NorthStar Center, a residential treatment center in Bend, OR, offers a sober living environment for older teens and young adults who are in recovery and need to finish school.

Labels: awareness, myths, support

Breaking the Silence

Rosalie Yan is a college sophomore who, in a simple courageous act, has chosen to break the silence about her eating disorder. Though she kept it hidden for years, she decided it was time to raise her voice and help dispel some of the stigmas associated with disordered eating.

"The truth is that life with an eating disorder is not glamorous, despite its associations with Hollywood's starlets. We've all seen those tabloid headlines, but have you heard it from someone who lives it? The real day-to-day experience is exhausting and drearily dull. Food is always on the forefront of my mind... Sometimes it takes all my strength to just get through the day. Sometimes I'm not even sure I want to."

Yan goes on to recount some of the lessons she's learned in the last four years, including the very vital truth that "happiness doesn't come with a certain body shape; happiness comes with acceptance." Read more at DukeChronicle.com.

Labels: acceptance, awareness, support

Eating Disorder and Body Makeover Event

This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. In an effort to enhance awareness of eating disorders, the University of Washington in Vancouver is hosting several events.

"Feb. 25, 11a.m. - 1p.m., a free and anonymous eating disorder screening will be held in the Administration Building gallery area. McWatters, a specialist in eating disorder treatment, will be available to meet briefly with interested students following their initial screening."

Other events will include a Reality Makeover Workshop that will take a hard look at the "ideal" body images portrayed in the media. Read more at CityofVancouver.us.

Labels: awareness, media_influences

Diagnostic Criteria for Eating Disorders Inadequate

Results of a new study by Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University have found that the DSM-IV criteria for eating disorders are not sufficient for accurate diagnoses. DSM stands for "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders". It is meant to offer a broad-based outline of diagnostic criteria for the medical community.

"Researchers noted that in treatment center programs for eating disorders more than half of the patients are diagnosed with an eating disorder 'not otherwise specified' (NOS)... 'The NOS category of the DSM-IV was intended to be a residual category of diagnosis... for relatively infrequent cases... '"

The fact that so many patients are being diagnosed with an eating disorder "not otherwise specified" indicates that eating disorder classifications in the DSM-IV are not broad enough. Read more at Huliq.com.

Have a teenager who has been difficult to diagnosis? The Aspen Institute specializes in providing a comphrehensive disagnotic picture of even the most troubled teen, and then offering a complete treatment plan.

Labels: awareness, diagnosis, treatment

Eating Disorders: A Guide for Teens

The Center for Young Women's Health, part of the Children's Hospital in Boston has created a website that includes a general guide on eating disorders aimed at teenagers. The guide breaks down the symptoms of anorexia and other disorders into easy-to-understand language and offers "next steps" for a teen who thinks she or a friend may have an eating disorder.

"If you think that you may have an eating disorder, it is very important that you talk to your health care provider immediately! If you are too nervous or scared to contact your health care provider on your own, try talking to an adult who is someone you trust like a parent, teacher, relative, or family friend."

The guide also helps teens understand how eating disorders are treated and what to expect if they or someone they knows is treated for an eating disorder. Read more at YoungWomensHealth.org

As someone dealing with an eating disorder needs treatment sooner than later, teens who are doing drugs or binge drinking also need immediate help. Unfortunately, parents often wait thinking their teen's risky behaviors will simply go away. Learn more about why you shouldn't wait to get your teen help.

Labels: awareness, health_care, support

Wales Creating a National Strategy

Currently, in the country of Wales, there are no residential centers available for the treatment of eating disorders. But officials plan to change that and have called for a national strategy aimed at treating and preventing eating disorders.

"While local community provision for sufferers does exist, Ms Jenkins said people who reached a more critical stage of the illness had to go to England for residential care. Work is underway to provide residential spaces for children and young people with mental health problems, at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend."

In addition, the Graham Menzies Foundation has applied for a multi-million dollar grant that would partially fund a residential treatment facility for several years.

Adolescent residential treatment centers like Youth Care and Island View can offer teens a structured environment as get help for their issues and earn academic credits.

Labels: awareness, prevention, treatment

Hospitals See Rise in Patients

A study conducted in the UK has found a dramatic increase in the number of patients being treated for eating disorders. The increase means that more hospital beds are being occupied by eating disorders patients, which leaves less room for other patients.

"While the average as of sufferers was 24, under-15s made up a fifth of the total, 25 percent more than 2005/06. Findings also reveal that NHS hospital admissions for bulimia increased 9 percent to 150."

A spokesman for the eating disorder charity Beat said the organization is "delighted" that data from the study is being release so that people can better understand the extent of the problem.

The Aspen Institute offers emotional behavior disorder assessments and treatment for troubled teens.

Labels: awareness, hospitals

NEDA Holds Auction

The National Eating Disorders Association is holding an online auction through Sunday, December 2nd. Money raised from the auction will go to benefit the NEDA's ongoing efforts against eating disorders.

"Auction items range from exotic vacations and priceless celebrity memorabilia to countless items guaranteed to delight and surprise."

Those wishing to help the NEDA with their fundraiser can bid on concert tickets, autographed guitars, Wii game systems and more.

Labels: awareness, treatment

Silence Leads to Death

Many victims of eating disorders still suffer in silence. Even if parents and siblings know about a child's struggle, the family itself often fights the disease alone. There's still too much of a stigma surrounding eating disorders, and the stigma causes too many to keep quiet.

"The latest research on eating disorders clearly shows that genetics and biology are the biggest risk factor for an eating disorder. But we as a society haven't caught up to scientific reality yet. We still blame families, the way we used to blame them for autism and schizophrenia and homosexuality."

Our society and our communities can do better. We can rally around victims of eating disorders and their families. We can, and we should; because the ones who suffer in silence are the least likely to recover. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder - don't be afraid to ask for help.

An adolescent residential treatment, like Youth Care in Draper, Utah, can help teens by offering a solid treatment plan and course of action to get them back on the right track.

Labels: awareness, causes of eating disorders, treatment

Mother Spreads Eating Disorder Awareness

Nancy Clarkson's daughter was diagnosed with anorexia when she was just 14-years-old. Nancy remembers how helpless she felt, and how uncertain she was about where to go for help.

"...although her daughter appears to be in 'the home stretch', Clarkson said she feels compelled to reach out to other local parents whose children may be at the very beginning of their struggles. If they are anything like she was, they are probably at a loss as to where to get help for their kids, Clarkson said."

She intends to start a support group in the San Ramon Valley of California, and hopes the group will provide much-need guidance and emotional support for families affected by eating disorders.

Camp Huntington is a special needs summer camp in New York. Visit www.camphuntington.com to learn more about their camps for disabled children.

Labels: awareness, parents, support

Identifying Children Prone to Eating Disorders

The old saying goes that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". That's especially true of serious illnesses like eating disorders. Learning to recognize the signs that a young person may be prone to developing an eating disorder can help avert a potentially deadly condition.

"The researchers [from University College Dublin] went back to look at data from the 2002 Health Behavior in School-Aged Children study involving 2,649 children. This showed that 32[percent] of the adolescents were underweight and, of this group, one in 10 'thought they were fat'."

The latter group, which also were more likely to choose a large silhouette as "mirroring" their body image, was identified as being at risk of developing an eating disorder. This group was also generally more unhappy, more dissatisfied with life and more likely to perceive themselves as 'not good looking'. Though they're general indicators, they can help identify a young person with self-image issues serious enough to lead to an eating disorder.

The Aspen Institute for Behavioral Assessment can offer a clear diagnosis and treatment plan for teenagers struggling from many common issues.

Labels: awareness, diagnosis, prevention

First-of-its Kind Book Tells Man's Story of Anorexia

Growing up, Gary Grahl was a popular kid. He had an active social life, excelled athletically and academically and was often asked out on dates. But he began to feel pressure to live up to other people's expectations, and that pressure eventually expressed itself as a full-blown eating disorder.

"I was afraid to gain weight,' he said, 'even though it was necessary to look like [famous movie stars and athletes]. So I started to lose weight when exercising and it got to be an addiction. I liked the control of losing weight.' He said therapy eventually forced him to recognize his three biggest fears: fear of growing up, fear of failure and a fear of his own emotions."

It took 17 years, but Grahl overcame his eating disorder. Now, he's published a book titled "Skinny Boy" that chronicles his battle with anorexia. Grahl is also a consultant for the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Eating Disorders and a guidance counselor at Sturgeon Bay High School where he speaks to the kids about nutrition and healthy living.

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Labels: awareness, manorexia, pressures

Brave Model (Literally) Exposes Dangers of Anorexia

Italian model Isabelle Caro, who has battled anorexia for 15 years, is featured in a new ad campaign for a clothing line - but in the ads, she's not wearing a stitch of clothing. Shot by famous and controversial photographer Oliviero Toscani, Caro appears nude, exposing her 68-pound frame in the ads for clothing brand Nolita. The advertisements feature the slogan "No Anorexia".

"A statement from Flash & Partners [parent company of the Nolita clothing line] said Toscani's aim was 'to use that naked body to show everyone the reality of this illness, caused in most cases by the stereotypes imposed by the world of fashion.'... Caro, who also suffers from psoriasis, told Vanity Fair magazine she has longed to finally come out of hiding."

Some critics of the ad campaign say it places too much blame on the fashion industry, while others worry that it may actually promote disordered eating to those who are predisposed. Italy's Health Minister said the government supports the campaign and will do what it can to help "promote responsibility towards the problem of anorexia".

Labels: awareness, fashion, modeling

Bulimia Offshoot

Pamela Keel, of the University of Iowa, recently completed research on a little-known eating disorder simply known as purging. Purging is different from bulimia, in that women with purging disorders don't binge-eat. Despite that, they feel the need to purge, even if they've only eaten a small amount of food.

"The dangers of purging disorder are similar to those of bulimia: psychological problems, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances that can affect the heart and kidneys, and potential dental problems because of self-induced vomiting."

Keel conducted research from 2001 to 2005, during which time she studied three different categories of women: those with bulimia, those with symptoms of purge disorder and those with no eating disorder at all. If continued study supports purging as a separate disorder, it could cause the American Psychiatric Association to revise its eating disorder criteria, which could help doctors to adequately screen for purge disorders.

Labels: awareness, dangers_of_eating_disorders, purging

Eating in Public

Are teens that are shy or hesitant about eating in public on the path to developing a full-blown eating disorder? Some experts say it's a possibility. Others say that, even if a teen doesn't develop a diagnosable eating disorder, serious health problems like malnutrition can still occur.

"Bernarod Carducci, director of Indiana University Southeast's Shyness Research Institute, calls it the Scarlett O'Hara syndrome. In a famous scene in Gone with the Wind, Scarlett's maid tells her not to eat at a barbeque if she wants to uphold her reputation."

James Mitchell, president of the Neuropsychiatric Research Institute in Fargo, N.D. feels that current national concerns about obesity cause this non-specified eating disorder to go unnoticed. Leslie Lipton, who once struggled with eating in public, cautions that girls need to seek treatment early.

Read more at USAToday.com.

Labels: awareness, prevention, shyness

Awareness Campaign Launched

The island nation of Malta has launched an eating disorder awareness campaign, in an attempt to promote awareness, prevention and treatment. Called "Taste Freedom", the campaign was launched on September 7th at a breakfast meeting.

"Guest speaker Professor Bob Palmer... tackled the subject from a wider perspective. 'Eating disorders have an "image problem". They are often portrayed as either an exotic rarity afflicting and sometimes killing young women at the threshold of lives that had been full of promise or as the expression of the foolishness of adolescent girls who take to excess the essentially trivial concerns with appearance and slimness that are widespread in our societies. Neither picture is accurate. Eating disorders are neither rare nor trivial."

Medical professionals, nutritionists, counselors, media personalities and student body representatives were all invited to participate in the breakfast.

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Labels: awareness, prevention, treatment

New York Governor Signs Eating Disorder Bill

Just in time for New York's Fashion Week, Gov. Eliot Spitzer has signed into law a bill that can help with the identification and prevention of eating disorders. The focus of the bill is the entertainment industry.

"As a result of the Governor's action, a Child Performers Advisory Board will be created oversee the development of guidelines to ensure that child actors suffering from or at risk for eating disorders are identified and have access to treatment. Appointed by the Commissioner of Labor, along with the Commissioners of Health and Mental Health, board members will also develop educational materials to generate awareness and inform actors and models about eating disorders."

The new legislation also requires that licensing regulations be established for residential treatment centers which serve the needs of people with eating disorders.

Labels: awareness, legislation, prevention

New York Governor Sign Eating Disorder Bill

Just in time for New York's Fashion Week, Gov. Eliot Spitzer has signed into law a bill that can help with the identification and prevention of eating disorders. The focus of the bill is the entertainment industry.

"As a result of the Governor's action, a Child Performers Advisory Board will be created oversee the development of guidelines to ensure that child actors suffering from or at risk for eating disorders are identified and have access to treatment. Appointed by the Commissioner of Labor, along with the Commissioners of Health and Mental Health, board members will also develop educational materials to generate awareness and inform actors and models about eating disorders."

The new legislation also requires that licensing regulations be established for residential treatment centers which serve the needs of people with eating disorders.

Labels: awareness, legislation, prevention

Essay Earns Counselor Award

JoDee Rigel, a school counselor from Monroe County, Michigan, was the subject of an award-winning article written by a teen who says the counselor saved her life. Ms. Rigel was the first person to take action when she noticed that the young girl, Chelsea, had lost a lot of weight.

"In the essay, Chelsea wrote how Ms. Rigel noticed her significant weight loss and intervened. 'She's done everything for me and has been there since day one,' she said."

Chelsea admitted she had a problem as soon as she was confronted, which Ms. Rigel says helped her recover more quickly. Chelsea's article won an award from Teen Ink Magazine, the content of which is written entirely by teenagers.

Read more at MonroeNews.com.

Labels: awareness, recovery, support

High School Students Raise Awareness about Eating Disorders

Evelin Alvarez and Kayla Claxton are juniors at Yspilanti High School near Ann Arbor, Michigan. They recently presented a paper titled "Eating Disorders and the Social Pressures that Cause Them" at a research institution called Altarum.

"'...We only surveyed junior and senior girls at Ypsi (high school)... We asked the girls questions on whether they considered themselves to be healthy, and through that, we found that they no longer know what healthy is.'"

Alvarez and Claxton will each receive a $750 scholarship award for their paper. They intend to take the information they've gathered and use it to raise awareness in their school about the dangers and treatments options of eating disorders. Read more at MLive.com.

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Sage Walk, featured on ABC's Brat Camp, helps teens with behavior and emotional issues. Visit sagewalk.com to learn more about their brat camp program.

Labels: awareness, education, high-school_girls

New York Exhibit Challenges Ideas of Beauty

Manon Slome is the curator of the Chelsea Art Museum in New York. She's recently put together a multi-media collection titled Dangerous Beauty which consists of video, photographs, paintings, sculptures and a bathroom scale.

"Curator Manon Slome says the purpose of the exhibit was to create a little anxiety for the audience. 'People are scared to be weighed in public and that's why I want to have this at the beginning of the show to create a sense of anxiety which I feel is the result of the beauty industry.'"

The exhibit includes a straitjacket covered in artificial nails, and a series of photographs that document a women's forehead implant surgery. Curator Slome hopes the exhibit will change people's perceptions by showing the high cost of paid by those who to adhere to society's strict definition of "beauty".

Read more at VOANews.com.

Labels: art, awareness, society

CMU Groups Raise Awareness of Anorexia

This coming weekend, two separate groups at Central Michigan University will host events aimed at raising both money and awareness for eating disorders.

"The Delta Phi Epsilon sorority is sponsoring a candlelight vigil, and the women's track team is hosting a Walk-a-Thon to raise money for [National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders] ANAD."

The goal of ANAD is to "alleviate the problems of eating disorders, especially anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa." Both of the events on the Central Michigan University campus are open to the public. Read more at CM-Life.com.

Labels: awareness, students

A Slice of Heaven?

During National Eating Disorders Awareness Week couple in February, a new novel about eating disorders went on sale. A Slice of Heaven was written by Sherryl Wood who, fortunately, has never suffered with an eating disorder, but learned to appreciate the complexities of eating disorders after speaking with specialists at The Childrens' Hospital in Denver.

"'This is not a problem to be ignored or wished away,' Woods said, 'especially with younger and younger girls developing self-image issues and resolving them with extreme eating behaviors such as anorexia or bulimia.'"

Go online to read more about Wood's book and visit the National Eating Disorders Awareness website for more information on symptoms, warning signs, consequences and treatment options.

Labels: awareness, children, self-image_issues

Be Comfortable in Your Jeans

This week is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. The National Eating Disorder Association's theme for this year is "Be comfortable in your genes. Wear jeans that fit the REAL you."

"Too often individuals struggle against their natural, genetically influenced size just to fit into that pair of 'skinny jeans' in the back of their closets. Fighting your natural size and shape can lead to unhealthy dieting practices, poor body image and sometimes eating disorders."

The National Eating Disorder Association is hosting several Great Jeans Giveaway events across the nation. The events are intended to encourage women to giveaway those "skinny jeans" and learn to be comfortable in jeans that are made for their body type.

Read more at NationalEatingDisorders.org.

Labels: awareness, body image, dieting

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