The theme for the photo contest is the NEDA 2010 Conference Theme: "Building Bridges to Recovery."
Rules, submission forms and more information here: http://www.facebook.com/l/bdffd7ED5N3b0o_WifcnVT4xZQg;www.myneda.org/uploads/photo_contest_2010%20PDF.pdf
Deadline: July 30th.
If you are chosen as the winner of this contest, your photo may be used to promote our conference, it will be prominently displayed at the conference and you will be entered in a lottery to win cool NEDA Gear, including a NEDA T-shirt, water bottle, and more!
Thank you for your help in “Building Bridges to Recovery!”
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Do Good and Strengthen Your Eating Disorder Recovery
Do Good - Gemeinschaftsgefuhl (German word that translates to "community feeling" in English)
~ SERVING OTHERS ~
"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Give! Get out of yourself ~ Use your talents and gifts to help others and contribute to the world!
"As a therapist, founder of the Eating Disorder Hope organization and recovering eating disorder sufferer, I can say that I have learned one thing about eating disorder recovery, and it is that the eating disorder sufferer must embrace their unique self and God given gifts and talents. There is a strong correlation between using one's gifts to help others, the community and the world and one's recovery. Remember, the world needs you! " ~ Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC
Check out a list of great charities and ways to contribute to the well being of others, animals and our planet!Eating Disorders Coalition Call For Action
TIME SENSITIVE Action Alert! Ask Michelle Obama to address eating disorders!
The Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC) is working with Congressman Alcee Hastings, who cares about eating disorders and is asking Michelle Obama to expand her Childhood Obesity Initiative so that it also addresses eating disorders. Congressman Hastings has written the below letter to the First Lady and is looking for additional Members of Congress to join him in taking a stand for eating disorders by signing onto this letter.
This is where you come in!
We ask that you call your Representative in the House and ask her/him to sign onto this letter. Deadline for signing on is close of business Thursday, July 1st.
This is important. We have an opportunity to influence Michelle Obama's initiative so that it is more comprehensive and addresses the spectrum of eating disorders as well as obesity.
If you do one thing today - have it be this. Contact your Representative now.
Here's how:
1) Who is my Representative? If you don't know who your representative is
- go to www.house.gov
- put your 9 digit zip code into the box in upper left corner
- This will take you to your Representative
2) Calling your Rep
- Call 202-224-3121 which is the Capitol Switchboard and ask for your Rep's office. They will connect you
3) The MESSAGE
Tell the person answering that you are a constituent of Congressman/woman XX and that you would like him/her to sign onto Alcee Hastings letter that urges Michelle Obama to incorporate eating disorders into her childhood obesity campaign. The deadline for signing onto the letter is July 1st.
The receptionist may transfer you to the health legislative assistant who is in charge of this issue. You then repeat your message. You can get this person's email address and send the letter below.
More message:
Everyday people are dying of eating disorders yet this reality remains unrecognized and hidden. When there is such a focus on weight as is the case in the First Lady's initiative - this invariably results in some people using risky weight loss methods, the increase of weight-related stigma and bullying, and developing eating disorders. Unless Michelle Obama overtly includes a discussion of eating disorders in her efforts there is the unintended possibility that her campaign will do harm. If your boss adds his/her name to this letter it will help influence the First Lady's Initiative so that it is comprehensive and promotes health for all children.
If the office wants to sign on to this letter, they should contact Amye Greene at 5-1313 or amye.greene@mail.house.gov. This is for Members of Congress and their staff ONLY - please do not contact Amye as an advocate. If advocates have questions please contact Jeanine at the EDC at jeaninecogan@starpower.net.
The Sign-On Letter:
DISCUSSION DRAFT
June 28, 2010
The First Lady of the United States
The White House
441 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear First Lady Michelle Obama,
Thank you for championing the health and welfare of our nation’s children through the Let’s Move Campaign. Let’s Move has brought historic attention to the importance of addressing one the most serious public health concerns of today. However, we believe that broadening Let’s Move’s focus to include information about eating disorders would enhance the campaign’s mission to improve the mental and physical health of all children.
We understand that obesity and eating disorders have distinct health impacts, and believe that the prevalence of these disorders indicates the need for comprehensive and well-coordinated interventions that support healthier habits and environments. Like obesity, unhealthy weight loss measures, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating and eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) have increased significantly over the past few decades. In fact, more than 11 million men, women and children suffer from an eating disorder in the United States.
In a speech that publicly introduced the Let’s Move Campaign, you stated that unhealthy diets and habits can negatively influence physical, emotional and educational development and well-being. Eating disorders are no exception. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that undernourishment impacts a student’s ability to excel academically, and suicide, anxiety and depression are more common in people with eating disorders. Eating disorders also have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses, and can result in long-term health issues including heart and kidney failure, cognitive impairment, muscle atrophy and sudden death.
Like obesity, eating disorders afflict children of different ages, genders, economic backgrounds, and ethnicities. At least 30-40 percent of junior high students have reported dieting, over half of high-school girls have reported dieting, and 25 percent of bulimia and anorexia cases are men. What’s more, student athletes can be especially vulnerable to eating disorders because some adopt unhealthy dietary restrictions and weight loss methods to achieve or maintain a certain weight for competition. Many obese individuals resort to unhealthy weight loss tactics and may develop eating disorders in an attempt to achieve a desired weight or body image.
Strong environmental, cultural, social factors have contributed to the high rates of obesity and eating disorders in the United States. Stigma, blame and misinformation often accompany these conditions. Coordinated efforts among educators, elected officials, parents, community leaders and young people are crucial to executing sustainable solutions to these public health problems. We believe that Let’s Move Campaign’s mission is compatible with messages and interventions that are designed to address eating disorders. Educators could incorporate information about unhealthy dieting when providing information about healthy food choices. Speeches and parental toolkits could include information about risks, signs and support networks for eating disorders. And, the Let’s Move Web site could include a link to the Office of Women’s Health Web site which has comprehensive and evidence based information on eating disorders.
The unprecedented leadership in the battle against obesity through the Let’s Move Campaign shows your commitment to creatively and aggressively improving the health of children, families and communities. We hope that you will take our suggestions into consideration so that the Let’s Move Campaign can take a more holistic approach to addressing the full spectrum of behaviors that are compromising the health of America’s children.
Sincerely,
Alcee L. Hastings
Member of Congress
_________________________
If the office has any questions or wants to sign on to this letter, they should contact Amye Greene at 5-1313 or amye.greene@mail.house.gov.
Thank you for adding your voice to this effort. Every call makes a difference!
From the Hill,
Jeanine Cogan, Ph.D., Policy Director
Eating Disorders Coalition
www.eatingdisorderscoalition.org
202-352-3208
Posted: 29 Jun 2010 07:06 AM PDT
TIME SENSITIVE Action Alert! Ask Michelle Obama to address eating disorders!The Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC) is working with Congressman Alcee Hastings, who cares about eating disorders and is asking Michelle Obama to expand her Childhood Obesity Initiative so that it also addresses eating disorders. Congressman Hastings has written the below letter to the First Lady and is looking for additional Members of Congress to join him in taking a stand for eating disorders by signing onto this letter.
This is where you come in!
We ask that you call your Representative in the House and ask her/him to sign onto this letter. Deadline for signing on is close of business Thursday, July 1st.
This is important. We have an opportunity to influence Michelle Obama's initiative so that it is more comprehensive and addresses the spectrum of eating disorders as well as obesity.
If you do one thing today - have it be this. Contact your Representative now.
Here's how:
1) Who is my Representative? If you don't know who your representative is
- go to www.house.gov
- put your 9 digit zip code into the box in upper left corner
- This will take you to your Representative
2) Calling your Rep
- Call 202-224-3121 which is the Capitol Switchboard and ask for your Rep's office. They will connect you
3) The MESSAGE
Tell the person answering that you are a constituent of Congressman/woman XX and that you would like him/her to sign onto Alcee Hastings letter that urges Michelle Obama to incorporate eating disorders into her childhood obesity campaign. The deadline for signing onto the letter is July 1st.
The receptionist may transfer you to the health legislative assistant who is in charge of this issue. You then repeat your message. You can get this person's email address and send the letter below.
More message:
Everyday people are dying of eating disorders yet this reality remains unrecognized and hidden. When there is such a focus on weight as is the case in the First Lady's initiative - this invariably results in some people using risky weight loss methods, the increase of weight-related stigma and bullying, and developing eating disorders. Unless Michelle Obama overtly includes a discussion of eating disorders in her efforts there is the unintended possibility that her campaign will do harm. If your boss adds his/her name to this letter it will help influence the First Lady's Initiative so that it is comprehensive and promotes health for all children.
If the office wants to sign on to this letter, they should contact Amye Greene at 5-1313 or amye.greene@mail.house.gov. This is for Members of Congress and their staff ONLY - please do not contact Amye as an advocate. If advocates have questions please contact Jeanine at the EDC at jeaninecogan@starpower.net.
The Sign-On Letter:
DISCUSSION DRAFT
June 28, 2010
The First Lady of the United States
The White House
441 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear First Lady Michelle Obama,
Thank you for championing the health and welfare of our nation’s children through the Let’s Move Campaign. Let’s Move has brought historic attention to the importance of addressing one the most serious public health concerns of today. However, we believe that broadening Let’s Move’s focus to include information about eating disorders would enhance the campaign’s mission to improve the mental and physical health of all children.
We understand that obesity and eating disorders have distinct health impacts, and believe that the prevalence of these disorders indicates the need for comprehensive and well-coordinated interventions that support healthier habits and environments. Like obesity, unhealthy weight loss measures, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating and eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) have increased significantly over the past few decades. In fact, more than 11 million men, women and children suffer from an eating disorder in the United States.
In a speech that publicly introduced the Let’s Move Campaign, you stated that unhealthy diets and habits can negatively influence physical, emotional and educational development and well-being. Eating disorders are no exception. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that undernourishment impacts a student’s ability to excel academically, and suicide, anxiety and depression are more common in people with eating disorders. Eating disorders also have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses, and can result in long-term health issues including heart and kidney failure, cognitive impairment, muscle atrophy and sudden death.
Like obesity, eating disorders afflict children of different ages, genders, economic backgrounds, and ethnicities. At least 30-40 percent of junior high students have reported dieting, over half of high-school girls have reported dieting, and 25 percent of bulimia and anorexia cases are men. What’s more, student athletes can be especially vulnerable to eating disorders because some adopt unhealthy dietary restrictions and weight loss methods to achieve or maintain a certain weight for competition. Many obese individuals resort to unhealthy weight loss tactics and may develop eating disorders in an attempt to achieve a desired weight or body image.
Strong environmental, cultural, social factors have contributed to the high rates of obesity and eating disorders in the United States. Stigma, blame and misinformation often accompany these conditions. Coordinated efforts among educators, elected officials, parents, community leaders and young people are crucial to executing sustainable solutions to these public health problems. We believe that Let’s Move Campaign’s mission is compatible with messages and interventions that are designed to address eating disorders. Educators could incorporate information about unhealthy dieting when providing information about healthy food choices. Speeches and parental toolkits could include information about risks, signs and support networks for eating disorders. And, the Let’s Move Web site could include a link to the Office of Women’s Health Web site which has comprehensive and evidence based information on eating disorders.
The unprecedented leadership in the battle against obesity through the Let’s Move Campaign shows your commitment to creatively and aggressively improving the health of children, families and communities. We hope that you will take our suggestions into consideration so that the Let’s Move Campaign can take a more holistic approach to addressing the full spectrum of behaviors that are compromising the health of America’s children.
Sincerely,
Alcee L. Hastings
Member of Congress
_________________________
If the office has any questions or wants to sign on to this letter, they should contact Amye Greene at 5-1313 or amye.greene@mail.house.gov.
Thank you for adding your voice to this effort. Every call makes a difference!
From the Hill,
Jeanine Cogan, Ph.D., Policy Director
Eating Disorders Coalition
www.eatingdisorderscoalition.org
202-352-3208
Monday, June 28, 2010
Exercise addiction related to eating disorders?
Eating Disorders and Exercise
You can hardly turn on a television these days without seeing a segment on obesity in the United States. Obesity is at an all-time high, and most shocking of all, this condition is rampant in our children. This is due to a combination of a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle. So...how could exercise be a bad thing?
It’s important to keep in mind that anything, even exercise, can be harmful when it becomes an addiction...finish reading about exercise and eating disorders and find resources, information and recovery hope at: http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-exercise.htmlSaturday, June 26, 2010
Would you like access to a library of articles regarding eating disorders?
Eating Disorder Articles
Extensive library of free articles on eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia, compulsive overeating, binge eating disorder and the many co-occurring issues and challenges @
http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/eating-disorder-articles.html
List of Article Topics
Friday, June 25, 2010
If not dieting® Health Professional 2-day Training Program in Australia
The Person Centred Approach to Healthy Weight Management:
helping people achieve and maintain a healthy weight
Presented by Dr Rick Kausman of www.ifnotdieting.com
About Dr Rick Kausman
Dr Rick Kausman is a medical doctor who is recognised as the Australian pioneer of the person centred approach to healthy weight management. Rick has written two books including the award-winning ‘If Not Dieting, Then What?’, he is the creator of a number of other resources, and has had several articles on healthy weight management published in peer-reviewed
journals. Dr Rick has been the Chairperson of Body Image and Health Inc. for 3 years, and a board member for 12, and an Executive Council member of the Australasian Society for the Study of Obesity for 9 years. He is currently a Fellow of the Australian College of Psychological Medicine, a Lifelong Fellow of the Obesity Prevention and Treatment Society, a Member of the Board of Directors of the Butterfly Foundation, and an honorary lecturer at Monash University, Department of Medicine and Deakin University, Department of Dietetics. More information about Dr Rick can be found at his web site, www.ifnotdieting.com
The Training Program
The If not dieting health professional training program assists Doctors, Nurses, Dietitians, Psychologists, Social Workers, and other Allied Health Professionals, to effectively help patients achieve and maintain a healthy weight.Not only does this exciting workshop draw from the most current world research in the field of weight management and eating behaviour, but incorporates Dr Rick Kausman’s 20 years of practical and unique experience in this field, and importantly, from the experiences of thousands of his patients. The content of the training program also has
input from other members of the ‘If not dieting’ team including psychologists, dietitians, a social worker, nurse and physiotherapist.
The training program is full of practical information, delivered through a mixture of formats including a number of eating awareness activities. There will be plenty of time for discussion, and importantly, many patient quotes and stories to help participants to get a strong sense of how our patients and clients are feeling about this health issue, in order to support them make long term sustainable change. Each participant will also receive the 2010 ifnotdieting training manual containing important references and copies of key journal articles.
Accreditations and Endorsements
This 2-day training program is accredited by:
• The Royal Australian College of General Practice (RACGP): Active Learning Module, 40
Category 1 points.
• The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM): National, 12 PDP.
• Kinect Australia – 3 Professional Development Points
A certificate of attendance will be provided so practitioners can apply for CPE points from other relevant professional bodies.
helping people achieve and maintain a healthy weight
Presented by Dr Rick Kausman of www.ifnotdieting.com
About Dr Rick Kausman
Dr Rick Kausman is a medical doctor who is recognised as the Australian pioneer of the person centred approach to healthy weight management. Rick has written two books including the award-winning ‘If Not Dieting, Then What?’, he is the creator of a number of other resources, and has had several articles on healthy weight management published in peer-reviewed
journals. Dr Rick has been the Chairperson of Body Image and Health Inc. for 3 years, and a board member for 12, and an Executive Council member of the Australasian Society for the Study of Obesity for 9 years. He is currently a Fellow of the Australian College of Psychological Medicine, a Lifelong Fellow of the Obesity Prevention and Treatment Society, a Member of the Board of Directors of the Butterfly Foundation, and an honorary lecturer at Monash University, Department of Medicine and Deakin University, Department of Dietetics. More information about Dr Rick can be found at his web site, www.ifnotdieting.com
The Training Program
The If not dieting health professional training program assists Doctors, Nurses, Dietitians, Psychologists, Social Workers, and other Allied Health Professionals, to effectively help patients achieve and maintain a healthy weight.Not only does this exciting workshop draw from the most current world research in the field of weight management and eating behaviour, but incorporates Dr Rick Kausman’s 20 years of practical and unique experience in this field, and importantly, from the experiences of thousands of his patients. The content of the training program also has
input from other members of the ‘If not dieting’ team including psychologists, dietitians, a social worker, nurse and physiotherapist.
The training program is full of practical information, delivered through a mixture of formats including a number of eating awareness activities. There will be plenty of time for discussion, and importantly, many patient quotes and stories to help participants to get a strong sense of how our patients and clients are feeling about this health issue, in order to support them make long term sustainable change. Each participant will also receive the 2010 ifnotdieting training manual containing important references and copies of key journal articles.
Accreditations and Endorsements
This 2-day training program is accredited by:
• The Royal Australian College of General Practice (RACGP): Active Learning Module, 40
Category 1 points.
• The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM): National, 12 PDP.
• Kinect Australia – 3 Professional Development Points
A certificate of attendance will be provided so practitioners can apply for CPE points from other relevant professional bodies.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Support the National Eating Disorders Association's NYC Walk
Find a way to do your part
Help Fight Eating Disorders: Donate, Volunteer, Take Action!
Featured Events
NYC NEDA Walk - October 3, 2010
Riverside Park, NYCRegistration starts at 10 am; Walk starts at 11 am.
Donate, start your own team or register to walk here!
Become a Sponsor or Exhibitor at the NYC Walk!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Press Release: Best-Selling Author Jenni Schaefer presents a FREE teleconference for Houston’s own MentorCONNECT
June 23, 2010
For Immediate release
Contact: Shannon Cutts, MentorCONNECT Director
Phone: 713-382-4272
Email: mc@mentorconnect-ed.org
Attention: Feature and Event Desks: Best-Selling Author Jenni Schaefer presents a FREE teleconference for Houston’s own MentorCONNECT
June 23, 2010, HOUSTON, TX – Jenni Schaefer, McGraw-Hill popular best-selling author of “Life Without Ed” and “Goodbye Ed, Hello Me”, will present a FREE teleconference on Wednesday, July 7th, 2010, at 8pm central time. All are welcome to attend. RSVP’s are required.
This event is sponsored by Houston’s own MentorCONNECT, the first global eating disorders mentoring organization. Based in Houston since its inception in September 2007, MentorCONNECT now has a presence in all 50 USA states as well as 15 countries, and has sponsored free events featuring such notable authors and speakers as Thom Rutledge, Kirsten Haglund, Dr. Carolyn Becker, Dr. Kenneth Weiner, June Alexander, Michelle Lelwica, Doris Smeltzer, and others.
Event Details:
To Register: Send an email with “RSVP for Jenni” to mc@mentorconnect-ed.org
RSVP Deadline: July 7th, 2010 at noon
For More Info: www.mentorconnect-ed.org
More About MentorCONNECT:
MentorCONNECT is the first global online eating disorders mentoring community. Membership and all services are always free to members, and certain events like the popular monthly teleconference series are also opened up free of charge to the larger community. In addition to offering one-on-one mentoring matches, membership includes access to a password-protected, moderated, PRO-recovery community forum with two live weekly e-support groups, a wide variety of online themed support groups, recovery blogs, personalized profile pages, and moderated chat/email services. To volunteer your services as a caring mentor, be matched with a mentor, or find general support, visit us at www.mentorconnect-ed.org
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Pro Ana Versus Pro Recovery Sites: New Study by Johns Hopkins and Stanford University raises concerns.
Press Release
Pro Ana websites are popular, enticing and potentially deadly to young women. They promote thinness at all costs and often disregard health, well being and common sense. The June 17th issue of American Journal of Public Health published a recent study of Pro Ana websites. This innovative study conducted by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Stanford University School of Medicine, has raised questions about how we can meet the needs of these Pro Ana website visitors in healthier ways. It is important that Pro Recovery sites are supported and promoted by leaders and those influential to young woman. Professors, Teachers, Coaches, Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Parents and Therapists all can help offset the pro ana movement by supporting organizations that emphasize health and self esteem over thinness. It may save a life.
(PRWEB) June 22, 2010 -- A recent study of Pro Ana websites, published in the June 17th issue of American Journal of Public Health, shed some light on why young women are drawn to these sites and what they find there. This illuminating study has created a flurry of discussion and concern in the public.
Pro Ana websites are prolific across the internet. These sites provide tips, advice and encouragement to women on how to become thinner, emaciated or practice anorexia nervosa. Dramatic calorie restriction, fasting, excessive exercise, purging, laxatives and other unhealthy behaviors are often glorified as a magic key to achieving the media glorified waif look that has so deeply influenced women today. Eating disorder treatment is not advised or suggested. Thus, in most cases, these Pro Anorexia websites are promoting a deadly lifestyle and self destruction.
"These Pro Ana sites provide a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among the website visitors. These sites also can create a sense of pursuing a more perfect version of the self, or at least the body" commented Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC, and Director of Eating Disorder Hope. Sadly, the Pro Ana sites are focused on thinness as a status symbol and promise increased confidence and power in the world if one can just become thin enough.
Fortunately, there are Pro Recovery sites that refute these claims and encourage visitors to find a sense of inner value, self esteem and worth in the content of the character - rather than the external image of the individual. Sites such as Eating Disorder Hope promote healthy self care, embracing life and pursuing recovery. This site's mission is to foster appreciation of one's uniqueness and value in the world, unrelated to appearance, achievement or applause.
Eating Disorder Hope and other recovery websites, provide treatment resources such as a Treatment Directory and a Specialist Library (http://eatingdisorderhope.com/eating-disorder-specialist-library.html). These provide sufferers from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and compulsive overeating with contacts to professionals who can treat the destructive condition and the underlying issues that led to this maladaptive behavior.
Recovery Tools (http://eatingdisorderhope.com/eating-disorder-recovery-tools.html) are provided and explained to offer practical suggestions for developing a healthier lifestyle and self esteem. Tools are given, such as nutrition tips, mindfulness skills, spirituality, improving rational thinking, body image improvement advice and relapse prevention techniques.
Resources are also provided that direct the individual to articles on recovery, inspirational real stories of recovered women, pro recovery newsletters and blogs, support groups, and excellent non profit organizations that support eating disorder awareness and prevention.
If you know of a woman suffering from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder or seemingly becoming far too preoccupied with weight, eating and diet - Please, seek help for them. A good starting point may be to refer them to a resource such as Eating Disorder Hope where they can find eating disorder treatment referrals, recovery tips and resources, and most of all, inspiration to choose a full and meaningful life over the empty existence of anorexia and other related conditions.
Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC is Director and Founder of Eating Disorder Hope. http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com Eating Disorder Hope is the one stop eating disorder treatment, resource and information site. Eating Disorder Hope promotes ending eating disordered behavior, embracing life and pursuing recovery through implementing the best eating disorder treatment available for the individual with anorexia, bulimia or binge-eating disorder.
Monday, June 21, 2010
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