Wade and Amy Bellamah-Daniel noticed a disturbing trend in Cincinnati - a culture of disordered eating that ranged from fad diets to full-blown eating disorders. They also noticed something else disturbing - there weren't any local programs to deal with the issue. So they started one.

"Clients of the Body Truth outpatient program go through their daily routines, with all the stresses and temptations. Then, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. three days a week, they attend group sessions to learn new ways to look at themselves, their bodies and food."

The Daniels believe the benefit of this approach is that it teaches people, from the very beginning, how to cope in everyday life. Meeting several times a week allows patient to share not only their struggles, but also their successes. There is also a mid-week support group for family members. Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer

Labels: cultures, support, treatment

For decades, the finger of blame for adolescent eating disorders was pointed directly at mothers. Many believed that mothers who were too protective and attentive - or not attentive enough - caused the extreme behavior in their daughters. Today, however, the focus has shifted away from moms.

"More likely, though not a complete explanation, is a lethal combination of cultural and psychological development factors. 'This Is Beautiful' is a societal drumbeat. Look at any magazine, newspaper, TV or Internet advertisement. No plumb bodies urge us and our impressionable daughters to be like them... We see only painfully thin models."

As the need for approval shifts from parents and siblings to peers, the desire to fit in can be all-consuming. Some girls pursue, in health ways, the desire to be thin. Why some pursue it with extreme behaviors is still largely a mystery.

Raising teenagers can be tough, especially if you're dealing with an eating disorder, teen substance abuse, or behavioral issues. The Teen-Help-Directory lists resources for parents of teens and can offer help with a variety of issues.

Labels: cultures, influences, modeling

An increasing number of cultures are being exposed to the "thin beauty ideal". The result is that certain ethnic groups are at an increased risk of developing eating disorders. One such group that is causing concern for many experts is young Hispanic men.

"Let by Y. May Chao of Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, researchers examined data from nationally representative samples of high schools from 1995 to 2005... Among males, white adolescents are the least likely to practice weight control and Hispanic adolescents are the most likely. The authors suggest that Hispanics may be more motivated to control weight due to the higher prevalence of overweight among these young men."

While this, in and of itself is cause for concern, experts are especially troubled by the fact that young men are far less likely to admit they have eating disorders or to ask for help.

Find a private boys school for your son at SchoolsForBoys.com.

Labels: boys, cultures, ethnicity