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, fathers, daughters

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Paul Nyhan, writer for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, made a different kind of New Year's Resolution this year. Instead of committing to put a few extra dollars in the savings account or spend less time at the office, Nyhan is determined to help his now-2-year-old daughter prepare for the media and culture onslaught that can result in a negative body image.

"Today, involved dads are entering unfamiliar territory, such as body-image anxiety. They want to help, but don't always know how, said Harvard Medical University researcher Dr. Nancy Etcoff. When Etcoff gives a speech these days, dads ask a lot of the questions."

Most dads want to help their daughters have healthy self-images, but they don't know what to do or say. Experts suggest that dads encourage interests outside of fashion and media outlets. Quality time with daughters is also key to helping developing healthy self-esteem.

Animal assisted therapy, like the program for troubled teens at Aspen Ranch, help teenagers deal with a variety of emotions and issues.

Labels: self-image_issues, fathers, influences

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