In an April 2 article on the Huffington Post, eating disorder survivor Sunny Gold (health editor of Glamour magazine and founder of www.healthygirl.org), wrote about a topic that does not always play a major role in many eating disorder articles: hope.

In a culture that is as weird about food and overweight as it once was about sex, simply talking about the links between obesity, eating disorders and the media at all--as the National Eating Disorders Association and the Stop Obesity Alliance, Newsweek, CBS news and Glamour did today--is an amazing first step.

The notion that we can change things has never felt more true to me than this moment: With a First Family that has taken on health and nutrition as one of its key issues, with huge and powerful groups like NEDA and the obesity alliance finally coming together, with models like Crystal Renn and Coco Rocha speaking out about their own struggles with disordered eating, I've never been so sure that we're on the right track.

I'll end with a line from one of my favorite Beck songs (you know this one, c'mon sing it with me): "Things are gonna change, I can feel it!"

Labels: hope

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Most teens find reading news online to be stressful reminder of the dangers their world is facing, according to a new study from Northwestern University. Researchers also found that most teens get their news online, but do not enjoy reading it. Social networks, YouTube, and music downloading websites are favorites of teens.

Labels: hope, stress

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A new program in Australia is helping people with eating disorders find hope in a most unusual place; the circus. Clowning around - literally - is being encouraged as a way for anorexic and bulimic patients to reconnect with their bodies in health ways.

"The pilot program uses performance circus skills - acrobalance, aerials, juggling and hula-hoops - to help people build trust and learn positive risk-taking while also developing strength and flexibility."

The program is still in its early stages and will not be officially rolled out until it has been fully funded.

Labels: hope, treatment

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Young people who are struggling with eating disorders can have difficulty finding things to be grateful for. One clever young woman decided to create a book where guests in her home could write about the joys and blessings in their own life.

"She started it as a reminder of life's small joys. Anyone can write in it. Anyone can read it. You can sign you name if you want. The only rule is to write what you are grateful for."

A Grateful Book can be a great pick-me-up when your teen (or you) is having a bad day. It can also provide some hope and reminders of the things worth living and fighting for. Read more online.

Labels: hope, treatment, support

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