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News Articles About Eating Disorders
'Superwaif'regulation call
Minister for Women Tessa Jowell has said a new voluntary code regulating media images of women may ease the pressure girls feel to be thin. Ms. Jowell hosted a body image summit at Downing Street on Wednesday with fashion magazine editors, advertisers, clothes designers and teenage girls to discuss the way body image affects young girls' self-esteem, and the increasing prevalence of disorders like anorexia and bulimia.
Ms Jowell hosted a body image summit at Downing Street on Wednesday with fashion magazine editors, advertisers, clothes designers and teenage girls to discuss the way body image affects young girls' self-esteem, and the increasing prevalence of disorders like anorexia and bulimia.
At the news conference after the summit, the minister said the media was part of the problem but could also be part of the solution.
Backing self-regulation Ms Jowell gave her support to an industry-led group which has agreed to spearhead a campaign to "smash the stereotypical images" of women in the media.
They plan to feature a wider range of models in their magazines, insist that modelling agencies have larger girls and women on their books, and to pressurise fashion houses to provide clothes in bigger sizes for photoshoots.
Liz Jones, Editor of Marie Claire magazine, said an industry code could be very effective.
"It would mean if an agency sent us a very thin model whose bones were showing through her skin, we would send her back and write to the agency as well as other magazines telling them not to use her."
Ms Jowell also announced that the Broadcasting Standards Commission had agreed to look at carrying out systematic monitoring of television output to evaluate whether women shown on our screens are sufficiently diverse
Eating disorders
An estimated one million people in the UK are anorexic or bulimic, although few sufferers are actually diagnosed or treated.
Identifying gaps in existing research into the growing prevalence of eating disorders was also crucial to improving the body image of girls and young women, the minister said.
Women's magazines have come in for huge criticism for featuring images of so-called "superwaifs" like models Kate Moss and Jodie Kidd.
But Ms Jowell said the summit was about stimulating debate and not placing blame.
"We are certainly not saying these industries are responsible for causing eating disorders among young girls," the minister said.
"This isn't about regulation or restriction of the freedom of any individual, any company or any industry."
'Inadequate'
According to research 58% of girls say their appearance is their biggest concern in life and two thirds of women admit to feeling inadequate compared with the media image of the ideal female shape.
Only a quarter said they were happy with their weight.
Eighty-eight percent said that there was pressure from the media to "look perfect".
This pressure has been highlighted by the dramatic weight loss of stars like "Posh Spice" Victoria Beckham and Ally McBeal actress Calista Flockhart.
Last month the British Medical Association said television and the media shared part of the blame for rising rates of anorexia and bulimia among women.
It was the first time the group had made the link between the images and eating disorders.
But Dr Dee Dawson, medical director of Road Farm Clinic in London which treats people with eating disorders, expressed doubts about whether the summit would succeed.
"I think the only thing that can be done is to start educating children at school at a very early stage into thinking more sensibly about the shape of people around them."
Eating disorders enter the classroom
Pupils in Liverpool are to be taught about the dangers of eating disorders as part of an initiative which has been praised by the government. Liverpool City Council has teamed
up with Liverpool Health Promotion Service to produce guidelines on how to introduce information on eating disorders into lessons.
Pupils in Liverpool are to be taught about the dangers of eating disorders as part of an initiative which has been praised by the government.
Liverpool City Council has teamed up with Liverpool Health Promotion Service to produce guidelines on how to introduce information on eating disorders into lessons.
It is encouraging schools to incorporate the issue into core curriculum subjects such as English, science, health education and food technology.
The advice pack, called Guidelines for Schools on Eating Disorders and Body Image, is thought to be the first of its kind produced in the country. It provides information on dieting issues, and profiles disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating.
It is now being issued to every school in Liverpool, and the Department for Education is adopting the initiative as a model of good practice for other local authorities and schools to follow.
Research has shown that four out of every 100 women under the age of 35 may have an eating disorder. Of young sufferers, more than 90% are female.
Annette Lyons, Liverpool City Council's Education and Lifelong Learning Service health advisor, said: "We are trying to help young people cope with issues about their own identities and bodies and prevent them from falling prey to eating disorders.
"We also want to give young people details of who can help if they do encounter problems."
Jim McTague, deputy headteacher of St John Almond RC High, in Liverpool, said: "Anything that promotes healthy eating and positive self-image among pupils should be supported by every school." Students face ongoing battle with self-image, eating disorders
Monica Kintigh, a licensed professional counselor at the TCU Counseling Center, said today's culture plays a role in the high incidence of eating disorders.
Another factor that contributes to eating disorders is a sense of control, she said. "It's more about control," Kintigh said.
"They use food as a way to control their lives. It gives them a sense of power. They think, 'I have more control because I can control my food and body's appearance.'"
By Kathryn Garcia
Four of every 100 college women have bulimia. According to the Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders Web site (www.anred.com), there are many different types of eating disorders. The most common are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and anorexia athletica. There are several other lesser-known disorders as well.
Anorexia is defined as a person starving him or herself, while bulimia occurs when a person diets, binges and then purges. Binge eating disorder occurs when a person eats uncontrollably, and anorexia althletica occurs when a person exercises excessively.
Monica Kintigh, a licensed professional counselor at the Counseling Center, said today's culture plays a role in the high incidence of eating disorders.
Another factor that contributes to eating disorders is a sense of control, she said.
"It's more about control," Kintigh said. "They use food as a way to control their lives. It gives them a sense of power. They think, 'I have more control because I can control my food and body's appearance.'"
References to disorders similar to anorexia and bulimia can be found in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and early Chinese dynasty scrolls. Ancient Romans, after large meals, would go to a chamber called a vomitorium to throw up, so that they may return to their feasting.
The first description of an anorexic patient in medical literature was made by Richard Morton in London in 1689. He described the condition as, "a skeleton clad only with skin." At that time, anorexia was thought to be a form of tuberculosis.
Today clinicians say anorexia is both a physical and psychological disorder. Emily Haeussler, a registered and licensed dietitian and nutrition therapist, said there are several different ways of treating an eating disorder depending on the severity of the patient.
Because every case has individual characteristics, Haeussler said there is no set treatment for eating disorders.
According to the ANRED Web site, many different approaches are used to treat eating disorders, including hospitalization, medication, dental work, individual counseling, group counseling, family counseling, nutrition counseling and support groups.
Students can receive a few of the counseling treatments at the TCU Counseling Center, Kintigh said. Most of the time though, they are referred to outside groups.
They provide a referral list with numbers for outpatient counseling, dietitians, local support groups, eating disorder therapy groups, psychiatrists and national organizations.
Haeussler, one of the dietitians on the referral list given by the Counseling Center, said she considers several factors when working with patients.
"I work with you about weight issues and together we determine the next step," she said. "The person with the eating disorder and I make changes at a pace that is comfortable and realistic to them."
Haeussler said she also works with a psychotherapist when treating her patients so that she may focus on the nutrition therapy to teach them healthy ways to eat, while the psychotherapist works on the emotional aspects.
Prevention is an approach that many, including residence hall staffs, take to combat eating disorders.
Kara Steffen, the hall director for Colby Hall, said she and the RAs try to focus at least one of the four All-Hall meetings during the fall semester on healthy eating and avoiding eating disorders.
"Our most visible bulletin board right now is all about the different signs and symptoms of eating disorders," Steffen said.
The Colby Hall staff also refers inquiring residents to places with a more professional background where they can receive the best treatment possible, she said.
"It's sad, but true," Steffen said. "It is one of those silent epidemics that is more common than you'd ever want it to be."
Anne VanBeber, an associate professor and chair of the nutrition and dietetics department, said the physical effects of eating disorders are much more dangerous than people realize and range from the obvious to the obscure.
VanBeber said people with anorexia will experience fatigue and become malnourished because they are eating such few calories .
"Because you are not getting enough fat, your hair might not be as shiny, nails might be thinner and your skin may become dryer," she said.
With bulimia, VanBeber said, the tissues in the esophagus, mouth and anal area will wear away because the person forces him or herself to throw up or takes laxatives.
"Also they experience tooth decay because of the acid in the vomit," she said. "They become very dehydrated, as well."
Kintigh said many students with anorexia die of cardiac arrest and not of starvation.
"As they are losing body fat outside, they lose it inside, too," she said. "They lose the fat around the heart and the brain. Once they have lost the body fat, they lose the muscle tissue."
Muscles, including the heart, need protein to work well. Anorexics don't eat enough to get adequate protein, Kintigh said.
Haeussler said last year she saw about 25 TCU students regarding eating disorders.
"I think there is a high percentage (of students at TCU) that are overly concerned about food and weight, most of which do not have eating
disorders but do overly exercise," Haeussler said.
Kintigh said the average number of students with eating disorders at TCU is no higher than at any other university.
Steffen said that at the residence halls they definitely see more residents than they would want to see with eating disorders.
"But one student is one too many," she said.
Female athletes benefit from more dietary fat
Female athletes had better endurance on a diet that included 35 percent fat than on lower fat diets, report researchers at the
University of Buffalo in Buffalo, New York. They suggest that because women burn dietary fat better than men, female
athletes should have different dietary recommendations than men. Studies are revealing that "women are better at utilizing fat - about 50 percent higher than males when resting."
Eating disorders focus of student play
Body image, media influence and parental pressure were just some of the issues explored as Loaves and Fish Traveling Repertory Company presented Hopes & An Orange Duck, a play
about an Asian-American woman's battle with an eating disorder. Former Penn State student Ameca Shang wrote the play after seeing many of her friends struggle with eating disorders.
By KATE DAILEY
and ALLISON LIEBSCHER
The Digital Collegian Staff Writers
Body image, media influence and parental pressure were just some of the issues explored last night as Loaves and Fish Traveling Repertory Company presented Hopes & An Orange Duck, a play about an Asian-American woman's battle with an eating disorder.
Former Penn State student Ameca Shang wrote the play after seeing many of her friends struggle with eating disorders, said director Charles Dumas, associate professor of theater arts.
Many Asian Americans identified with the themes of the performance.
"I could totally relate to the main character," said Erica Cho (sophomore-biology), who recognized the main character's conflict with her traditional parents.
The main idea, however, was universal.
"Yes, this is a play about an Asian American," said Kat Barrett, an actress in the play. "But it can relate to any gender, any race and any age."
For many, the experience made them more aware of the different factors that can lead to eating disorders.
"It opened my eyes to see how cultural issues came into play concerning eating disorders," Jen Mudge (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said.
Jill Pattishall, who played the main character's roommate, said it's important to discuss the issue, especially in a college setting where eating disorders are common.
The play was dedicated to Laura R. Whitaker, a former Penn State student and a victim of an eating disorder. Shang first presented her play last April during Asian American Awareness Month.
The play was performed in front of about 50 in the George Clark Cultural Lounge in East Halls. East Halls Residence Life hosted the show as part of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
Over five million Americans suffer from eating disorders, according to the American Anorexia Bulimia Association's World Wide Web Site (www.aabainc.org).
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