Eating Disorders Help Guide

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

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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.

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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.

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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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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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