Though dispelling myths may not be a miracle cure for disordered eating, writer Penny Casto hopes that it will, at the very least, cause women to stop and think.

"Myth: It is healthier to be thin. While obesity presents its own set of health consequences, an extreme eating behavior toward the other end of the continuum can result in physical complications due to malnutrition and starvation. Reality: People with anorexia are up to 10 times more likely to die as a result of their illness."

Another common myth is that thin people are more attractive. But this myth is being put to rest as women in the entertainment industry continue to come forward and share their struggles with eating disorders. Source: News & Record - Greensboro, NC

Labels: healthy, nutrition, starvation

A survey of 1,600 young adults revealed that boys eat more fast food as they go through their teen years, but girls seem to level off in their early teens.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota kept track of the teens for five years. At the beginning of the study, about 20% of both the boys and girls ate fast food three times a week. Five years later, the percentage of males had increased to 33%.

Labels: boys, fast_food, nutrition

It's not new behavior, but it has been given a new name: drunkorexia. The term is used to describe women who intentionally limit their eating so they can drink without worrying about the "added calories."

"According to The Morning Show report (featuring our friend Sondra Kronberg, an eating disorders specialist from the National Eating Disorders Association of Long Island), 30% of women ages 18-23 restrict food calories so they can drink more and not gain weight from their alcohol consumption."

The reduction in food has potential enough to be dangerous, but less food means the body is also less able to process or recover from high levels of alcohol. Read more at EMaxHealth.com.

Copper Canyon Academy is a boarding school for troubled girls that offers accredited academics and therapy to help teenage girls get back on track. Learn more about their girls residential treatment program at www.coppercanyonacademy.com.

Labels: alcohol, drinking, nutrition

For Harriet Brown's daughter, the calorie counting that accompanied her eating disorder didn't stop with recovery. On the contrary, she found herself having to track her intake just as diligently as ever in order to re-gain and maintain a healthy weight.

"Like many recovering anorexics, Kitty has a fast metabolism that seems to burn calories at a higher than usual rate. So she needs to eat more than the average teenage girl to maintain her weight, and she will probably need to do this for years to come."

One of the challenges of recovering from an eating disorder is that the patient often has to break every food-related rule he or she established. Fruits and vegetables are good, but so are ice cream, potato chips, and other calorie-dense foods. Given that we live in a society that has clearly defined which foods are "good" or "bad", it can be a difficult shift to make, and parental support is vital.

Aspen Ranch, a residential treatment program in Utah, offers an equine therapy program that helps troubled teens work through their negative emotions and behaviors.

Labels: calorie_restriction, healthy_eating, nutrition

Emily Reese is currently the best girls distance runner in the state of Georgia. Soon, she'll compete for her fourth state championship. All Georgia eyes are on her, as are such universities as Duke Princeton and Harvard. Emily knows that a good deal of attention comes along with all her success.

"It also comes with being 5 feet 6, 100 pounds in a sport that can seduce girls into believing that leaner means faster. 'I wouldn't say that I have to defend myself, but I know that some people make comments on how thin I am,' Reese said."

Reese is naturally thin and doesn't try to lose weight; in fact, she's trying to gain a few extra pounds just make sure she stays healthy. She regularly visits a nutritionist, and has an annual blood work screen. She places a lot of importance on letting other girls in her sport know that you don't have to be thin to be fast.

Mount Bachelor Academy, like other schools for troubled teens, offer therapy and counseling to students struggling with their emotions. Learn more at www.mtba.com.

Labels: healthy, nutrition, weight_gain

Nutritionist Ingrid Skoog has recently been hired by the Oregon State Athletic Department to begin working with the student-athletes. Her overall goal is to help them improve their athletic performance, but she will begin by addressing the issue of eating disorders.

"She hopes to advise incoming athletes and show them how to eat properly in the dorms, and then help those who move into apartments to shop for healthy food that can be made quickly."

Collegiate athletics has become so competitive that being "naturally talented" isn't enough anymore. Everyone is looking for an edge. Skoog hopes to help them find that edge in safe, healthy ways. Read more at GTConnect.com.

Labels: athletes, health care, nutrition