Vogue Mom Encourages Daughter to Lose Weight: Helpful or Harmful Approach?

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We are constantly bombarded with messages from the media that we should be thin and lean, and preferably, look like one of the models in magazines, on TV, on billboards, etc.  Sadly, many kids face this pressure at home, too.  Well meaning parents, alarmed by concern about their child's weight and health, often resort to imposed food restriction and diets to help their child "be healthy", "fit in", etc.

This can be problematic because once dieting and food restriction are enforced, it is not uncommon for the child to then develop a tormented relationship with food that can lead to eating disorders, body image disturbances and depression.

On that note, please read Dr. Kimberly Dennis' thoughts about the recent controversy over the Vogue mother's efforts to help her daughter lose weight

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Make a Pledge to Honor Yourself over Spring Break

The emerging Spring Season beckons a fresh start, new beginnings, and a long awaited relief from winter’s blues.  Many students across the country look forward to this season in particular, due to the much anticipated Spring Break.  However, if you are struggling with an eating disorder or valiantly attempting to stay the course in your recovery, this time may bring more challenges than feelings of hope.  Often associated with Spring Break is an incessant need for dieting, a pressing urge to attain an unrealistic standard of body perfection to fill the molds of bikinis and bathing suits.  While spring break is intended to be a time of relaxation and rest, for many it alternately becomes a destructive period of crash dieting, binges, and depression episodes.  This spring break set yourself up for success by committing to honor yourself, your body, and your recovery, refusing to give into the “I’ve got to lose weight before Spring Break” mentality.  Consider signing the Spring Break Pledge 2012, choosing to approach this spring break in healthier ways!

What is something positive you can do for yourself over your spring break?

Eating Disorder Hope is now on Pinterest!

At Eating Disorder Hope, we advocate the promotion of eating disorder awareness and recovery.  Our recent involvement in Pinterest has allowed us to display important facets of this mission, such as positive affirmations, beautiful body image inspirations, and encouragement for the recovery journey.  This comes at a crucial time, particularly as social media is increasingly utilized as a means of negatively deterring the hope for recovery.  As a counteract to the "thinspo" promotions on Pinterest, Eating Disorder Hope welcomes you to follow and share our Pinterest page and associated boards to help spread the message of hope and freedom that is found in recovery.

Please check out our Pinterest Page at: http://pinterest.com/edhope/

What are you doing to spread the message of recovery today?

March 15, 2012 Eating Disorder Hope Newsletter Published

Eating Disorder Hope Newsletter, March 15, 2012 is now published @ https://app.verticalresponse.com/app/emails/email/view/1473549749#view_as_html

Enter Drawing to Win Free Book : Happy For the Rest of Your Life by Gregory Jantz, Ph.D.

Happiness can seem elusive as we go through the challenges of life.  It sometimes seems that once we attain this next big "thing" we will be happy.  The thing may be acceptance to college, a job, a certain weight, a relationship, etc.  But, the truth is happiness is an inside out deal, and Dr. Jantz addresses the tools of finding inner happiness beautifully in his book Happy For the Rest of Your Life.

Dr. Jantz has generously donated 10 copies of Happy for the Rest of Your Life to be offered in a drawing on April 15th, 2012.  Enter Here


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How to help a friend with an eating disorder | Fox News

Dr. Kim Dennis @ Timberline Knolls
Residential Treatment Center

  It can be heart wrenching to watch a friend or loved one suffer with anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder.  You may want to reach out, offer support and encouragement, but don't because you fear offending them.

Here are some excellent tips on how to approach a friend and discuss your concerns about their disordered eating behaviors @ How to help a friend with an eating disorder | Fox News

Anorexia and College Students

Many young women and men struggle with eating disorders.  It can be difficult to  cope with major life changes, such as attending college.  Sometimes, students will turn to food, exercise, weight obsession, restricting, etc. in an effort to deal with the pressures of college life.  This article provides some great insight into why this is the case for some and what can be done about it @ http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/article_anorexia-and-college-students

Health at Every Size Webinar Presented by International Assoc. of Eating Disorder Professionals(iaedp) and Timberline Knolls

Presented by Juliet Zuercher, RD, Nutrition Coordinator at Timberline Knolls

Date: Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Time: 1 p.m. CST / 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST


Register Now

A presentation discussing the benefits of focusing on healthy lifestyle practices rather than weight as a measurement of overall well being. The current cultural focus on restrictive eating, dieting and other weight centered behaviors are challenged and healthier long term solutions are explored.