Eating Disorders


Marilyn Monroe wore a size 14. Today's models are wearing a size 4 or 6. Super models often have to slim down to fit into a size 0 or 2. Their pictures fill magazines, TV, and movies. These images portray the wrong message to impressionable young women and men. It tells them that society (or members of the opposite sex) won't consider them beautiful or good looking unless they are a certain size. To some teens this translates into the notion that they won't be loved if they are too heavy. For others the pressures of life get to be too much for them and they take comfort in controlling what they eat, feeling as if it is the only control they have over their life.

Eating disorders such as anorexia (severe calorie restriction), bulimia (eating huge amounts and then throwing it up), and compulsive overeating are not just concerns of young women. Young men are also feeling the pressures to measure up, fit in, be perfect, and have more control.

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Read More About It:

What is an Eating Disorder?          Included in this article are some basic facts about eating disorders from the National Eating Disorders Association.

Preventing Eating Disorders          This publication from the NYU Child Study Center provides parents with tips about preventing Eating Disorders.

Treatment of Eating Disorders          This article by the National Eating Disorders Association includes information about various treatments that are available for eating disorders.

10 Things Parents Can Do          In this article by the National Eating Disorders Association parents are provided with ten tips to help prevent eating disorders.

Eating Disorders: Psychotherapy's Role in Effective Treatment          This is an article from the American Psychological Association about the role of psychotherapy in the effective treatment of eating disorders.

Additional Links:

Facts About Eating Disorders    www.anad.org/site/anadweb/content.php?type=1&id=6982       The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders offers this fact sheet about Eating Disorders on their website to assist parents in better understanding this disorder.

Eating Disorders Information Index    www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=294       National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). This is the largest nonprofit organization in the United States working to eliminate eating disorders.

Anorexia Nervosa and other Eating Disorders    www.anad.org       The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated disorders offers support for those struggling with Eating Disorders.

Inpatient Treatment for Eating Disorders at Rogers Memorial Hospital    www.rogershospital.org/eating_disorders.php       Rogers Memorial Hospital is a nonprofit behavioral health care organization with nearly a century of experience providing high-quality mental health services for children, adolescents, adults and older adults.

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