Eating Recovery Center 2011 Clipbook

Eating Recovery Center
Media Presence
2011

Table of Contents
January..................................................................................................page 4 to 21
**Digital Outreach: pages 19 & 20
February.................................................................................................page 22 to 34
March.....................................................................................................page 35 to 48
**Digital Outreach: n/a
April........................................................................................................page 49 to 59
page 60 to 75
May..........................................................................................................
**Digital Outreach: page 75
June........................................................................................................page 76 to 91
**Digital Outreach: pages 84, 85, 88 & 89
July.........................................................................................................page 92 to 115
page 116 to 134
August.....................................................................................................
**Digital Outreach: pages 128, 129 & 134
September..............................................................................................page 135 to 162
October....................................................................................................page 163 to 173
November...............................................................................................page 174 to 185
page 186 to 202
December................................................................................................

Kids Who Won’t Eat | Kelly King Heyworth
January 1, 2011

page

January 5, 2011

Julie Holland
Dental Professionals Can Be an Eating Disorders Patient’s “First Line of Defense” |

In June 2010, Emmet R. Bishop, Jr., MD, CEDS, Co-Founder and Medical Director of Adult Services of Eating
Recovery Center, was a featured writer in DentistryIQ’s eNewsletter. Dr. Bishop discussed the oral warning signs
of eating disorders and how dental professionals can be an integral part of identifying and recommending
treatment for eating disorders patients. In this week’s blog post, I’ve included excerpts from that article; to read
the full article visit DentistryIQ’s website.

Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa can have irreversible negative effects on an
individual’s body; and especially on his or her teeth, gums or mouth. Dentists, dental hygienists, orthodontists
and oral surgeons can be the “first line of defense” when it comes to identifying disordered eating symptoms.

“Mouth warning signs”
Bulimia and the disordered eating behaviors that accompany the disease can lead to tooth decay, gum
deterioration and halitosis (bad breath), among other symptoms, which are potential red flags or “mouth
warning signs” that can be apparent in as little as six months after disordered eating behaviors begin. When
anorexic behaviors lead to calorie restriction, the body will de-prioritize tooth and oral maintenance as it
attempts to salvage protein, vitamins and other nutrients to keep major body functions running.

A routine dental checkup can reveal “mouth warning signs” of these diseases. Here are some of the major
warning signs:

1. Tooth decay
Decay of teeth and enamel is most frequently seen due to increased levels of stomach acid in the
mouth from purging behaviors. Furthermore, individuals engaging in the calorie restriction of anorexia
will often lean toward low-calorie, fizzy drinks or sports energy drinks to minimize overall caloric
intake. These beverages are highly acidic and, over time, will eat away at enamel. This can also lead to
an increase in the susceptibility to and number of cavities when teeth no longer have their protective
enamel covering.
2. Tooth sensitivity
When an individual begins to experience erosion of tooth enamel, the sensitivity of teeth can increase
drastically. Tooth sensitivity can also be seen in individuals who do not have eating disorders. Although
it is not a telltale sign of an eating disorder, it can certainly be an oral complication of those diseases.
The same purging or bulimic behaviors that cause tooth decay and enamel erosion also contribute to
gum deterioration.
3. Swelling
Bulimic behaviors such as repetitive purging can lead to swelling in the cheeks and jaw area. A related
warning sign – though not occurring in the mouth – is the appearance of sores on the back of hands
and knuckles from frequent purging.
4. Halitosis and tooth discoloration
Increased stomach acid and bile in the mouth creates the perfect environment for halitosis and tooth
page 10

discoloration to occur. Because of the intense nature of bulimia, no amount of teeth brushing and
mouthwash can relieve the halitosis seen in eating disorder patients.

Often individuals struggling with disordered eating behaviors may attribute poor dental health to acid reflux or
a recent change in diet leading to more acidic liquids being consumed.

What can you do?
As a dentist, if you believe a patient may be exhibiting disordered eating behaviors, you can approach the
issue in a careful, thoughtful manner that does not place blame but rather illustrates concern for their overall
wellbeing. It is important to phrase the question in a way the patient understands exactly what you are asking
and does not include labels such as “bulimic” or “anorexic.” These labels can cause a patient to become more
defensive about the issue. The question should be, “do you make yourself throw up?” versus “do you have an
eating disorder?”

It is important to gauge the patient’s reaction when a sensitive topic such as this one is addressed. If the
individual is defensive and denies possible bulimic or anorexic behaviors, referral to his or her primary care
doctor will most likely be the most beneficial course of action, as your patient may feel more comfortable
discussing medical and psychiatric issues with a primary care physician.

Have questions about eating disorders or “mouth warning signs”? Comment below! Want me to discuss a topic
on the blog that you haven’t seen yet? Comment or send me a message with your ideas or questions.

Eating Disorders: The Deadliest Mental Illness | Julie Holland
January 11, 2011

Eating disorders are considered the deadliest mental illness. Restricting food and calories or purging to rid the
body of food and calories can have devastating effects on an individual’s body – both inside and out.

Tragically, these facts have again proven true. Announced late last month, a French actress who had long
struggled with anorexia and had even ventured into an advertising campaign to raise awareness about the
disease passed away. Isabelle Caro was only 28 years old and had said she wanted “to recover because I love
life and the riches of the universe. I want to show young people how dangerous this illness is.” (Read more on
the Daily Mail website.)

Eating disorders are very much life threatening diseases that require professional treatment to tackle
the underlying issues and causes. Eating disorders aren’t just about food and don’t happen just because
an individual refuses eat. It’s important to understand that this is a very complex disease with very real
consequences.

Other shocking eating disorders statistics
1. In the United States, as many as 10 million women and one million men have anorexia nervosa or
bulimia nervosa. Millions more struggle with binge eating disorder and EDNOS (eating disorder not otherwise
specified).
2. Four out of 10 Americans either suffered or know someone who has suffered from an eating disorder.
3. 90 percent of young women who develop an eating disorder do so between the ages of 12 and 25.
4. One-half of fourth grade girls are on a diet.
5. In one study, three out of four women stated that they were overweight, when in fact only one out of the
four actually was. page 11

Too many people die as a result of these devastating diseases when help is available. If you’re struggling with
an eating disorder, I encourage you to seek treatment from a qualified professional. If you know someone who
is struggling, encourage him or her to get help.

As I know from personal experience – and from the experiences of many of my former patients – it’s entirely
possible to recover from an eating disorder. Please ask for help.

If you, a friend or family member need help finding qualified treatment, read a previous post of mine here. A
variety of treatment centers across the country offer different specializations and treatment options, as well as
the ability to treat patients requiring different levels of care.

It’s important to choose a treatment facility based on what fits your, a friend or family member’s needs in
order to experience a lasting recovery. Eating Recovery Center in Denver, Colo., can be a valuable partner as
you seek treatment for yourself, a friend or a family member. Visit the website to chat confidentially with a
member of the Intake Team and get all your questions answered.

Want me to discuss a topic on the blog you haven’t seen yet? Comment below or send me a message!

Diet is a Four-Letter Word: Does Dieting Lead to Eating Disorders? | Julie Holland
January 18, 2011

With the start of a new year, fad diets and diet talk in general can run rampant; but diets aren’t all they’re
amped up to be, and for some they can be quite dangerous. In fact, diets can be a serious trigger to eating
disorders.

Here are some reasons I think “diet” is a four-letter word:
• For an individual who is genetically predisposed to an eating disorder, diets can be a trigger for a full-
blown eating disorder. If someone in an individual’s family has had an eating disorder, it may mean that
he or she is genetically predisposed to eating disorders. In fact, someone with a family member who
has had anorexia is 12 times more likely to develop the disease, and four times more likely to develop
bulimia. Therefore, it can be a slippery slope when a dieter of this nature experiences a little weight
loss, feels good about it, but thinks more weight loss would be even better.
• Dieting keeps you from listening to what your body needs. The key to being healthy isn’t found in
dieting or drastically reducing calories. Instead, it’s about listening to your body; eating when you’re
hungry and stopping when you’re full.
• Dieting can make you label foods as either “good” or “bad” foods, either for their fat content,
nutritional value, sodium amounts, etc. However, foods shouldn’t be labeled in this manner. All foods
are fine when eaten in moderation and maintaining a balanced diet is the goal.
• Dieting brings the focus to weight loss. When your focus should be a healthier one on eating a well-
balanced diet and living an active lifestyle full of activities that make you happy.
• Dieting doesn’t work. According to Dr. Barbara A. Coehn’s book, The Psychology of Ideal Body Image as
an Oppressive Force in the Lives of Women, 95 percent of individuals who go on a diet don’t succeed in
the desired weight loss. In fact, a majority of that 95 percent actually put the weight back on in the next
two to three years.

It’s true, not everyone who goes on a diet will develop anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder or EDNOS,
but is the risk really worth it when simply eating a balanced, nutrition-packed diet can keep you healthy and
happy? page 12

Are you worried about a friend or loved one’s dieting, and eating disorders behaviors are a concern? Are your
worried he or she is practicing disordered eating behaviors? Do you want to learn more about how to find
treatment for an adult, adolescent or child with an eating disorder? Visit Eating Recovery Center’s website to
chat confidentially with a qualified staff member to get all your questions and concerns answered.

The Media and Eating Disorders: How Much Does One Influence the Other? | Julie
January 31, 2011

Holland

Celebrities, icons and the media in general can play a significant roll in how young girls – and boys – view
themselves and their bodies. In the United States, celebrities are seen as role models and icons by thousands
and therefore it’s crucial that they act responsibly, especially in what they say and do in reference to their body
image and self-esteem.

Several recent studies have highlighted this fact. Here are a couple of studies that I felt were noteworthy.

As was revealed in a recent study by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Latina girls have a strong
desire to look like media icons, putting them at a greater risk for developing an eating disorder.

According to Cortney Warren, a professor at UNLV who conducted the survey, adolescence is a time of identity
formation. Teens look to their peers, the media and the cultural environment to explore what is valued and
aspire to meet those ideals. This is a developmental time in which teens want to be well liked, have friends, be
popular and feel good about their looks.

Another study, released earlier this month, notes that secondhand television exposure through peers puts
teenage girls at an increased risk of eating disorders – underscoring the eminent tie between the media and
eating disorders. If parents find themselves trying to ward off negative influences from the media by turning
off their TV sets, it may not be enough if their teenager has friends who regularly watch television. According
to the study, higher media exposure was linked to a 60 percent increase in a teenage girl having or displaying
eating disorders symptoms. As lead author Anne Becker, Vice Chair of the Department of Global Health and
Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, noted, “findings suggest that social network exposure is not just a
minor influence, but rather, IS the exposure of concern.”

When a teenage girl or boy sees a certain body type – slim, athletic, tanned – revered in the media, he or she
often believes that’s what he or she is supposed to look like in order to be admired in the same manner.

Furthermore, advertisements and pictures are far-too-often ‘digitally altered’ to presumably remove any
faults the model might have. Take for example the Ralph Lauren advertisement that received an outpouring
of negative comments for minimizing and altering a model’s waistline, legs and arms to unnatural – and
unhealthy – sizes. Images like this one aren’t what real, natural women look like. These images are unhealthy
role models for young women and run the risk of the media influencing eating disorders.

In order to counteract some of the unrealistic images displayed in the media, it’s important to understand
how adolescents interpret the media’s messages about beauty and looks. Knowing how sensitive or reactive
an adolescent is to the media and its messages can be revealing. It can allow a glimpse into the likelihood that
they will develop a negative body image, low self-esteem or even an eating disorder.

page 13

With so many potentially negative messages from the media out there, how can we view media in a positive
manner? I believe it’s important to teach adolescents to challenge the unrealistic images and messages
portrayed in the media. One activity I’ve done with this age group is to identify those unrealistic messages and
images and talk through them either in a group setting or at home with their parents.

When talking through these images, parents and adolescents can share their feelings about trying to live up to
and compete with unrealistic role models’ actions, which may put bodies in danger.

Instead of ignoring the messages in the media, let’s put the media to good use and talk about it. Let’s teach
our children and teens to use their voices!

If you’re concerned about your own body image, many treatment centers offer body image groups or
counseling to help those individuals struggling with their appearance, body image and self-esteem.

Have a topic you’d like me to discuss on the blog? Leave a comment or send me a message with your
suggestions!

Eating disorders can kill | Lisa Segall
January 6, 2011

If you saw the obituary in the (Saturday, January 1) Atlanta Journal and Constitution for twenty-eight year old
Parisian model, Isabelle Caro, then you know that eating disorders can kill. Ms. Caro was most famous for her
very public battle with Anorexia Nervosa, which she lost on November 27, 2010.

First diagnosed with Anorexia at the age of thirteen, she became the face of that disease in a ‘designed to
shock’ Italian advertising campaign highlighting the prevalence of eating disorders in the fashion world. She
shared her battle in a memoir entitled “The Little Girl Who Didn’t Want to Get Fat” published in 2008.

Hers is a tragic case--if only one of many--in the universe of the rich and famous who, by virtue of their
celebrity, capture our attention. But while models, actors, and sports stars are very visible, eating disorders do
not only impact them. In fact, they are occurring in epidemic proportions in the general population and your
teenager could be, without your even knowing it, among the sufferers.

According to National Eating Disorders Association, approximately ten million females and one million males
are battling Anorexia and Bulimia. Millions more are fighting binge eating disorders and obesity.

If you look closely at the 90/10 split among males and females, it is clear that white, middle-class, teenaged
girls and young women are most often at risk for eating disorders--but the landscape is changing. Recent
studies show a higher incidence of eating disorders in teenaged boys and African Americans.

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In addition, the onset of eating disorders, once believed to be early teens, has been recognized in children as
young as eight years old. In any case, it is widely accepted that, because eating disorders are self-reported,
teens with eating disorders are significantly under-counted.

The problem for most parents is recognizing an eating disorder when they see one. We live in a very weight
conscious society and it is not unusual to hear teenagers discussing the ‘ripped abs and toned buttocks’ of
young and beautiful media personalities.

They are barraged by the unrealistic standard of beauty imposed by the media, and of course they want to
look like their role models. In this environment, it is not hard to understand why teenagers struggle with
body image and sometimes feel compelled to adopt some of the same unhealthy, and even life threatening,
behaviors celebrities have been known to adopt.

Still it is important to remember that eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia and binge eating, are not just
about body image--they are complicated by genetics and underlying psychological issues. The longer they go
on--the more difficult they become to resolve. Professional help is often required. If you have questions--if
your gut tells you there are problems--the best advice anyone can give is not to ignore it.

Dr. Ovidio Bermudez is a world-renowned specialist in eating disorders and the newly appointed director of an
eating disorders behavioral hospital for children and adolescents in Denver. In a recent e-mail interview, he
wrote, “Parents should listen to their own concerns and seek an assessment and evaluation to discern whether
there is enough justification for the diagnosis of an eating disorder to be made.”

“However, even in cases where the patient does not meet diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder, there might
be a pattern of ‘disordered eating’ which, once identified, might require appropriate interventions. So, when
in doubt, seek professional help.”

He also points out that, unlike in the past, the family dynamic is no longer assumed to be the cause of eating
disorders. Parents do however have the opportunity to take ‘preventative measures’ before concerns arise.
Simply modeling healthy behaviors around eating and exercise and by withholding judgment based on size,
weight, and appearance can influence a teens more positive self image. Do not tease about body image--not
even in fun.

There are a number of websites with excellent information on both diagnosing and treating eating disorders.
You will find several listed below. If you are concerned that your son or daughter might have an eating
disorder or some form of ‘disordered eating’ contact a professional. At the very least, it will bring you peace of
mind, and it just might save your child’s life.

Suggested Websites:
National Eating Disorders Association: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
National Institute of Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Eating Recovery Center/Denver: http://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/

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The Voice of an Eating Disorder | Margarita Tartakovsky
January 6, 2011

Many people have a difficult time comprehending eating disorders and their
true intensity and severity.

Myths abound:
• Eating disorders are a choice. (They’re not, but you can choose to seek
and commit to recovery.)
• You can tell someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them.
(Individuals with eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes.)
• Eating disorders are about vanity. (These are serious psychiatric
illnesses.)
• Eating disorders aren’t dangerous. (They have serious health
consequences. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental
illness.)

Some people even wish to have anorexia.

In her book, Brave Girl Eating: A Family’s Struggle with Anorexia, Harriet Brown writes:
“Anorexia is quite possibly the most misunderstood illness in America today. It’s the punch line
of a mean joke, a throwaway plot device in TV shows and movies about spoiled rich girls. Or
else it’s a fantasy weight-loss strategy; how many times have you heard (or said yourself) ‘Gee, I
wouldn’t mind a little anorexia’?”

Brave Girl Eating recounts how Brown’s family helped her then-14-year-old daughter, Kitty, recover from
anorexia using family-based treatment.

One of the most difficult parts of recovery is quieting the eating disorder voice and hearing your own voice
again.

Most of us can understand feeling anxious around food and not being good enough or thin enough (thanks
to our society and its dangerous diet mentality). But the voice of an eating disorder is nastier, relentless and
seems omnipotent. It hurls insults and uses fear tactics. Sometimes, every hour on the hour. People who suffer
from eating disorders typically report hearing a cruel and demeaning voice — one that says they aren’t good
enough, should stop eating, must lose weight and must engage in eating-disordered behaviors.

It’s very important to realize that a person is separate from their illness. For many people with eating disorders,
it’s especially hard to separate their identity from the illness. In Brave Girl Eating, Brown distinguishes her
daughter from the eating disorder voice, which she refers to as a demon and Not-Kitty.

The first time Brown heard the demon voice speak, she and her husband were terrified. Brown writes:
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Then she [Kitty] opens her mouth, and her voice, too, is unrecognizable. She speaks in a
singsongy, little-girl tone, high and strange and chillingly conversational, the creepy voice of
the witch in a fairy tale. ‘I’m a pig,” she says, not to me, exactly; it’s almost like she’s talking to
herself. ‘I’m a fat pig and I’m going to puke. I’m going to puke up everything because I’m such a
pig.’ … Somehow I’m up and off the bed, calling for Jamie, and then the two of us listen in horror
and incomprehension, as Not-Kitty spews a sickening litany of poisonous, despairing threats.

At the doctor’s office, after a nurse announces that Kitty has gained a quarter of a pound, her reaction is much
the same. Brown writes:
I gained weight! Oh my God! cries Kitty. She folds over on herself and begins a kind of moaning
chant: I’m a fat pig, I’m gross and disgusting and lazy. Look what you’re doing to me, you’re
making me fat. I should never have listened to you.

In the beginning of another chapter, Brown features a quote from an “anonymous anorexia sufferer:”
It wasn’t simply that I chose not to eat; I was forbidden to. Even thinking about forbidden foods
brought punishment. How dare you, this voice inside me would say. You greedy pig.

The voice is overwhelming and feels unstoppable. But people with eating disorders can — and do — take back
the power. Not engaging in eating disorder symptoms, and nourishing one’s body with food forces the voice to
dissipate.

And here’s another myth: People can’t fully recover from an eating disorder.

As expert Julie Holland from The Eating Recovery Center said:

“Recovery takes commitment, dedication, hard work and time. However, full recovery is absolutely possible
through finding the appropriate treatment professionals and program.”

If you have an eating disorder, remember that you are not alone in your struggle and you have the strength to
recover. You deserve to seek treatment and get better.

January 14, 2011
When Is Thin Too Thin?

I was doing some research regarding a particular style of dress when I stumbled upon this photo of a model
that I seriously think is WAY TOO THIN! I couldn’t believe my eyes at how thin this model is and one of her leg
looks like it’s broken or something. I’ve seen many skinny women but at least they don’t look sick! The model
in the photo looks like she hasn’t eaten in a week. It’s really disturbing!

I found this article by Julie D. Holland, MHS, CEDS, chief marketing officer of Eating Recovery Center, a licensed
behavioral hospital providing comprehensive treatment and sustainable recovery for eating disorders about
how to determine whether someone is indeed too thin. Read on…..

page 1

How thin is too thin? How do you know if you, your friend or a loved one is in fact
too thin and doesn’t simply have a naturally thin body type?

1. Hollowness to their cheeks and face. Someone who might be overly thin and
actually anorexic has an empty or hollow look to his or her face. There’s a lack of
brightness and color within their eyes and skin.
2. Discomfort with his or her body. Constantly posturing themselves and observing
how they look in mirrors and other reflections. They may also make frequent
comments about feeling fat or overweight.
3. Withdrawing from usual friends and activities. An individual who might be
engaging in disordered eating behaviors often removes themselves from their
former everyday activities either to minimize comments from others or to exercise
to “burn off” any calories consumed during the day.

“Thin is too thin when you’re constantly obsessing about what you’re eating or what your body looks like and
comparing yourself to others,” explains Marla Scanzello, MS, RD, Dietary Supervisor of Eating Recovery Center.
“It’s when you’re constantly trying to reach a lower weight and feeling that controlling your weight is a way to
control your life.”

You’re so much more than a number on a scale. Try not to worry about your friends’ or others’ weights
compared to your own. Instead focus on being within a healthy weight range that’s right for you. Talk
with your parents, family doctor, a dietitian or nutritionist if you’re concerned about your weight and/or
body shape. Additionally, please feel free or chat confidentially online with Eating Recovery Center (www.
EatingRecoveryCenter.com) to get your questions answered.

January 22, 2011
Status Update

Diet is a Four-Letter Word: Does Dieting Lead to Eating Disorders? - Everyday Health (blog) http://ht.ly/1aZ9oj

Status Update | Voice in Recovery
January 24, 2011

Eating Recovery Center Opens New Behavioral Hospital to Address Growing Trend of Child and Adolescent
Eating... http://fb.me/MXWoJjzG

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Status Update | ED Hope
January 25, 2011

Eating Recovery Center Opens New Behavioral Hospital to Address Growing Trend of Child and Adolescent
Eating... http://fb.me/TDkFbuxb

**Digital Outreach**
January 24, 2011
Eating Recovery Center Opens New Behavioral Hospital to Address Growing Trend of
Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders

A recent report from the American Academy of Pediatrics revealed that hospitalizations for children with
eating disorders are on the rise, that approximately 0.5 percent of adolescent girls in the United States have
anorexia, and that 1 to 2 percent meet diagnostic criteria for bulimia. To address this growing trend, Eating
Recovery Center (EatingRecoveryCenter.com), a national center for eating disorders recovery, has opened
Eating Recovery Center, a Behavioral Hospital for Children and Adolescents, a hospital specifically dedicated to
providing comprehensive eating disorders treatment for children and adolescents – both girls and boys – ages
10 to 17. The hospital opened today in Denver’s Lowry neighborhood, and is now accepting patients.

“It’s important for families to be aware that disordered eating behaviors can start at any age,” explains
Kenneth L. Weiner, MD, CEDS, founding partner and chief executive officer of Eating Recovery Center. “Early
intervention, expert treatment and ongoing family support are vital to lasting recovery.”

To help parents recognize eating disorders triggers and warning signs, appropriately intervene and seek help,
Eating Recovery Center offers these five facts every family should know:

1. Children and adolescents with eating disorders can recover with the appropriate treatment.
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, most teenagers can fully
recover from eating disorders with appropriate, comprehensive treatment.

2. Weight-focused sports could be potentially harmful. Sports such as track and field, gymnastics and
wrestling involve a healthy weight component to be competitive. It is important that parents emphasize
the importance of practicing and training in a healthy manner.

3. Adolescents with anorexia or bulimia will likely display warning signs. Adolescents with anorexia
are often very driven and high achievers. Warning signs that can be displayed include weight loss,
avoidance of activities and friends, and anxiety about gaining weight or feeling “fat.”

Individuals with bulimia may not be as recognizable by weight loss, but often experience dramatic
weight fluctuations. They may also try to hide purging behaviors by running water while in the
page 1

restroom or brushing teeth several times a day. They may also display cuts or scrapes on their knuckles
and dental problems.

4. Families play an important role in recovery. Studies show that by intervening when they see a
problem and integrating recovery-focused behaviors into family life, families can become agents of
change for their children in eating disorders recovery.

5. Eating disorders will often go hand-in-hand with other diseases. Anorexia and bulimia can occur
alongside mood disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders and substance abuse, as well as
a number of other behavioral conditions. Recovery is possible with early intervention and proper
treatment.

Eating Recovery Center’s newest behavioral hospital is led by a nationally recognized expert in child and
adolescent eating disorders, Ovidio Bermudez, MD, FAAP, FSAM, FAED, CEDS. Dr. Bermudez serves as the
hospital’s new medical director of child and adolescent services. The hospital operates under the direction of
Dr. Weiner, and Eating Recovery Center’s chief clinical officer, Craig Johnson, PhD, FAED, CEDS.

Eating Recovery Center, a Behavioral Hospital for Children and Adolescents, is located at 8140 E. 5th Ave.,
Denver, Colo., and is now accepting patients from across the country.

January 24, 2011
Eating Recovery Center Opens New Behavioral Hospital to Address Growing Trend of
Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders

A recent report from the American Academy of Pediatrics revealed that hospitalizations for children with
eating disorders are on the rise, that approximately 0.5 percent of adolescent girls in the United States have
anorexia, and that 1 to 2 percent meet diagnostic criteria for bulimia. To address this growing trend, Eating
Recovery Center (EatingRecoveryCenter.com), a national center for eating disorders recovery, has opened
Eating Recovery Center, a Behavioral Hospital for Children and Adolescents, a hospital specifically dedicated to
providing comprehensive eating disorders treatment for children and adolescents – both girls and boys – ages
10 to 17. The hospital opened today in Denver’s Lowry neighborhood, and is now accepting patients.

Kenneth L. Weiner, MD, CEDS, founding partner and chief executive officer of Eating Recovery Center. “Early
intervention, expert treatment and ongoing family support are vital to lasting recovery.”

page 20



avoidance of activities and friends, and anxiety about gaining weight or feeling “fat.”

Individuals with bulimia may not be as recognizable by weight loss, but often experience dramatic
weight fluctuations. They may also try to hide purging behaviors by running water while in the
restroom or brushing teeth several times a day. They may also display cuts or scrapes on their knuckles
and dental problems.


treatment.

adolescent eating disorders, Ovidio Bermudez, MD, FAAP, FSAM, FAED, CEDS. Dr. Bermudez serves as the

Denver, Colo., and is now accepting patients from across the country.

Interview with Dr. Ovidio Bermudez | Perri Peltz
January 28, 2011

Doctor Radio Reports interviewed Dr. Ovidio Bermudez about eating disorders and their warning signs
and symptoms.

Full audio not available.

page 21

February 1, 2011
Eating Recovery Center children’s hospital opens

To address the rising number of children with eating disorders, Eating Recovery Center, a national center for
eating disorders recovery, has opened a new hospital specifically dedicated to providing comprehensive eating
disorders treatment for children and adolescents age 10 to 17.

The center’s Behavioral Hospital for Children and Adolescents opened in Denver’s Lowry neighborhood and is
now accepting patients.

Kenneth L. Weiner, MD, CEDS, founding partner and CEO of Eating Recovery Center. “Early intervention, expert
treatment and ongoing family support are vital to lasting recovery.”


avoidance of activities and friends, and anxiety about gaining weight or feeling “fat.” Individuals with
bulimia may not be as recognizable by weight loss, but often experience dramatic weight fluctuations.
They may also try to hide purging behaviors by running water while in the restroom or brushing teeth
several times a day. They may also display cuts or scrapes on their knuckles and dental problems.
treatment.

adolescent eating disorders, Ovidio Bermudez, MD, FAAP, FSAM, FAED, CEDS. Bermudez serves as the

Denver, Colo., and is now accepting patients from across the page 22

February 15, 2011
NORMAL In Schools (NIS) Debuts Online Educational Film During National Eating
Disorders Awareness Week: ‘Speaking Out About ED’

NORMAL In Schools (NIS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to education about the three kinds of eating
disorders (ED), self esteem and wellness, launched today an online educational film to coincide with National
Eating Disorders Awareness Week (February 20-26, 2011). The powerful documentary-style film exposes the
growing problem of eating disorders and obesity in our society, debunks myths, explores treatment options,
and calls for better training of the medical community in managing this life-threatening condition.

Created by NIS Founder and President Robyn Hussa after five years of research while entrenched in schools,
hospitals and working with families, the film sheds light on highly misunderstood mental illnesses, while
shattering misconceptions about ED and obesity through in-depth commentary from physicians, psychologists
and leading researchers. According to Dr. Stephen Hinshaw, Chair of Psychology at UC-Berkeley, “At least one-
fourth of all U.S. teenage girls are suffering from self-mutilation, eating disorders, significant depression, or
serious contemplation of suicide.” “We need to be doing more in schools to recognize the illness, talk to the
parents, and steer these people toward help,” says NEDA CEO Lynn Grefe.

Startling facts include: 25 million Americans struggle with an ED 30% of adults who are obese suffer from
Binge Eating Disorder - at least 15 million Americans 40% of newly-identified anorexia cases occur in girls
aged 15-19 ED has the highest death rate of any mental illness Problems coping with ED can begin as early as
ages 4-5 According to the NIMH 35-40% of dieters will develop an ED The average gap is 10 years between
noticing symptoms of mental illness and getting treatment The film cites the untimely deaths of three talented,
award-winning students caused by the unrelenting destruction of eating disorders - and in doing so, reveals a
healthcare system and medical community that is often woefully inadequate in providing solutions.

“In bringing our programs into schools, we’re seeing an alarming number of kids telling us that they are
experiencing symptoms of ED,” says Hussa, creator of the film. “Unfortunately, there are not nearly enough
resources to help them.” Multiple doctors affirm that people at highest risk for ED share specific genetic,
biological, and physiological factors that together create a predisposition for ED. Yet the complexity of ED
makes it very difficult to treat, adds Dr. Rick Bishop, founding partner of Eating Recovery Center. “If you
know the field of ED, you know the field of mental health; you have to know it all to treat ED patients.” The
NIS film stresses the importance of prevention through improved self-esteem, media literacy and family
communication to help kids build greater resilience.

The NIS educational film may be viewed online at: www.normal-life.org for a limited time, in honor and
support of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

NORMAL In Schools (NIS) is a national non-profit arts-and-education organization that educates about eating
disorders, the therapeutic impact of the arts, self-esteem, body image and family communication. It offers an

page 23

array of resources and programs - one of which brings a hip musical (“NORMAL”), a related curriculum, medical
experts, and persons in recovery to schools, and that has clinically shown to inspire individuals into treatment.
NIS was founded by Robyn Hussa, a 2010 recipient of the Champion in Women’s Health Award by Sue Ann
Thompson’s Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation.

February 15, 2011
Blog of the Week: Eating Disorder Rates Rising

Recovering from Life-Threatening Anorexia Nervosa to Save Others | Julie Holland
February 15, 2011

Eating disorders aren’t just a “teenage girl” disease. In fact, practitioners are seeing more and more instances
of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) developing in men
and women – as well as boys and girls – of all ages.

When I first came to Denver, Colo., I was introduced to a woman who has inspired and touched many lives,
including mine – Toni Saiber. Toni found out that eating disorders aren’t just a “teenage girl” disease. page 2

When Toni was 32 years old, she went on a diet to lose five or 10 pounds, but instead that diet triggered
a 20-year battle with anorexia and bulimia. Her body nearly gave in to the illness when she was 52 years
old. Admitted to a hospital in Denver, Toni fell into a coma for eight days. After a touch-and-go battle in the
hospital, Toni entered an eating disorder treatment center for five months.

While in treatment, Toni found herself “surrounded by the most incredible young people.” She realized she
didn’t want these young women walking the same path she did and sacrificing so much of their lives to an
eating disorder. It was then that she decided to give up a 25-year career as an interior designer in order to do
something meaningful and with the goal of changing lives. Toni, along with four other individuals, founded The
Eating Disorder Foundation in 2005 with a mission to support and educate people in an effort to prevent and
eliminate eating disorders.

The Foundation speaks to schools and community groups throughout Colorado and advocates for changes in
public policy to raise awareness about eating disorders. Additionally, support groups are offered free of charge
to individuals who are struggling with body image or eating disorders or who know someone who is. As Toni
says herself, “we want to bring down the walls of shame that preclude people from getting help.”

Eating disorders aren’t a “problem” that will go away or resolve itself. In fact, the “problem” is getting worse
and affecting more than 11 million people in the United States right now; furthermore it’s being seen at
increasing rates in younger children and older adults. Through knowledge and compassion, we have the power
to defeat these life-threatening illnesses.

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, an annual event focused on reducing the stigma surrounding
eating disorders and improving access to treatment, is February 20-26,2011. To coincide with the week’s
events, The Eating Disorder Foundation will hold its annual candlelight vigil – a meaningful event for people
struggling with or recovering from eating disorders, as well as their friends and loved ones. This year’s event
will be Thursday, February 24, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. at the Wellshire Event Center in Denver.

Are you struggling with an eating disorder or negative body image, know someone who needs help for an
eating disorder? Contact Eating Recovery Center or The Eating Disorder Foundation to learn more about these
diseases and treatment options.

February 21, 2011

at Risk for an Eating Disorder? | Julie Holland
It’s National Eating Disorders Awareness Week – Could You Be Putting a Loved One

Every year, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) chooses one week in February as National Eating
Disorders Awareness Week. During this seven-day period, NEDA encourages Americans to focus on preventing
disordered eating and body images issues, minimizing the stigma associated with eating disorders, and
improving access to treatment.

An estimated five percent of Americans will need help for an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime,
according to the National Institute of Mental Health. This week, eating disorders treatment centers and
professionals urge families to be aware of five seemingly harmless behaviors and actions, which could increase
the risk of a child or loved one developing an eating disorder:

page 2

1. Dieting. Not only does dieting keep people from listening to what their bodies need, 95 percent
of individuals who go on a diet actually put the weight back on in the next two or three years.
Furthermore, for an individual who is genetically predisposed to an eating disorder, dieting can trigger
disordered eating behaviors.

2. Ignoring genetics. An individual with a family member who had anorexia nervosa is 12 times more
likely to develop the disease, and four times more likely to develop bulimia nervosa. People with a
family history should be especially aware of disordered eating behaviors if their loved one is involved in
sports – particularly if the sport focuses on weight management (i.e. ballet, gymnastics, or wrestling).

3. Labeling foods as “good” or “bad.” It’s important not to label types of foods or entire food groups as
“good” or “bad” because of their fat content, nutritional value, sodium amounts, or otherwise. Eating
healthy is all about moderation.

4. Making negative comments about your appearance or the appearances of others. Negative
remarks about your own appearance or body type, or disparaging comments about the appearances of
others, can have a profound effect on children, teenagers and even friends. Keep remarks encouraging
to foster an environment of positive self-esteem and body image.

5. Using food as a reward or a punishment. When parents use food as a reward or a punishment, it
can teach their child to turn to food for comfort, tie emotions to eating and permanently affect a child’s
relationship with food.

For more information about National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, or to learn how you can get involved
in your hometown, visit the event’s website.

Here is how Eating Recovery Center is getting involved both locally in Colorado and nationally for National
Eating Disorders Awareness Week. How are you getting involved this year?

• An annual candlelight vigil honoring those who have passed away from eating disorders, in
conjunction with The Eating Disorder Foundation, Thursday, February 24, 6:30 p.m., Wellshire Event
Center, Denver, Colo.
• Mind and Body Fair, hosted by the University of Northern Colorado’s Women’s Resource Center,
Monday, February 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Greeley, Colo.
• Eating Recovery Center’s lobby is exhibiting patient artwork throughout the week, 1830 Franklin
Street, Denver, Colo.
• Dr. Emmett R. Bishop Jr., FAED, CEDS, co-founder and medical director of adult services of the
Center will present to eating disorders specialists, Friday, February 25, Austin, Texas.
• “Be Comfortable in Your Genes” fashion show and silent auction benefitting NORMAL In Schools’
gala, INSIDE OUT!, Saturday, February 26, 5:30 p.m., Milwaukee, Wis.
• National Eating Disorders Association Walk, hosted by The Eating Disorders Network of Central
Florida, Sunday, February 20; registration at 9 a.m., walk at 10 a.m., Orlando, Fla.
• “The Forum – a Panel of Recovery” event, presented by the Multiservice Eating Disorder
Association, Tuesday, February 22, Framingham, Mass.

page 2

**Digital Outreach**
dBusiness News ran in
Denver and nationally
February 16, 2011
During National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Eating Recovery Center Asks,
“Could You Be Putting a Loved One at Risk?”

An estimated five percent of Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime,
according to the National Institute of Mental Health. During National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
(February 20-26), Eating Recovery Center (www.EatingRecoveryCenter.com), a national center for eating
disorders recovery, encourages people to be aware of behaviors and actions that could increase the risk of a
loved one developing an eating disorder.

“Because eating disorders are genetic, an individual who has a family history is much more likely to be sensitive
to others’ words and actions surrounding food and body image,” said Kenneth L. Weiner, MD, FAED, CEDS,
chief executive officer and founding partner of Eating Recovery Center. “It’s important for families to talk about
these deadly diseases and avoid behaviors and actions that could act as eating disorder triggers.”

Eating Recovery Center urges families to be aware of these five seemingly harmless behaviors and actions,
which could increase the risk a child or loved one developing an eating disorder:

1. The use of food as a reward or a punishment. When parents use food as a reward or punishment, it

2. The comments you make about your appearance or the appearances of others. Negative remarks
about your own appearance or body type, or disparaging comments about the appearances of others,
can have a profound effect on a young child, a teenager or even a friend of yours. Keep remarks
encouraging to foster an environment of positive self-esteem and body image.

3. Labeling foods as “good” or “bad” foods. It is important not to list types of foods or entire
food groups as “good” or “bad” because of their fat content, nutritional value, sodium amounts or
otherwise. Eating healthy is all about moderation.

Furthermore, for an individual who is genetically predisposed to an eating disorder, dieting can be a
gateway to disordered eating behaviors.

5. Ignoring genetics. An individual with an immediate family member who had anorexia nervosa is
12 times more likely to develop the disease; and four times more likely to develop bulimia nervosa.
Individuals with a family history should be especially vigilant of disordered eating behaviors if
page 2

their loved one is involved in sports – especially those with a focus on weight management such as
ballet, gymnastics or wrestling.

For more information about National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, or to learn why the National
Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) urges individuals to talk about these deadly diseases, visit www.
nationaleatingdisorders.org.

Join Eating Recovery Center at these events, both locally in Colorado and nationally, during National Eating
Disorders Awareness Week:


February 16, 2011
During National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Eating Recovery Center Asks,
“Could You Be Putting a Loved One at Risk?”

An estimated five percent of Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime,
according to the National Institute of Mental Health. During National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
(February 20-26), Eating Recovery Center (www.EatingRecoveryCenter.com), a national center for eating
disorders recovery, encourages people to be aware of behaviors and actions that could increase the risk of a
loved one developing an eating disorder.

“Because eating disorders are genetic, an individual who has a family history is much more likely to be sensitive
to others’ words and actions surrounding food and body image,” said Kenneth L. Weiner, MD, FAED, CEDS,
chief executive officer and founding partner of Eating Recovery Center. “It’s important for families to talk about
these deadly diseases and avoid behaviors and actions that could act as eating disorder triggers.”
page 2

Eating Recovery Center urges families to be aware of these five seemingly harmless behaviors and actions,
which could increase the risk a child or loved one developing an eating disorder:

1. The use of food as a reward or a punishment. When parents use food as a reward or punishment, it

2. The comments you make about your appearance or the appearances of others. Negative remarks
about your own appearance or body type, or disparaging comments about the appearances of others,
can have a profound effect on a young child, a teenager or even a friend of yours. Keep remarks
encouraging to foster an environment of positive self-esteem and body image.

3. Labeling foods as “good” or “bad” foods. It is important not to list types of foods or entire
food groups as “good” or “bad” because of their fat content, nutritional value, sodium amounts or
otherwise. Eating healthy is all about moderation.


5. Ignoring genetics. An individual with an immediate family member who had anorexia nervosa is
12 times more likely to develop the disease; and four times more likely to develop bulimia nervosa.
Individuals with a family history should be especially vigilant of disordered eating behaviors if their
loved one is involved in sports – especially those with a focus on weight management such as ballet,
gymnastics or wrestling.

For more information about National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, or to learn why the National
Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) urges individuals to talk about these deadly diseases, visit www.
nationaleatingdisorders.org.

Join Eating Recovery Center at these events, both locally in Colorado and nationally, during National Eating
Disorders Awareness Week:

page 2

Status Update | 3 Day Diet
February 16, 2011

During National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Eating Recovery Center Asks ... - Einnews Portugal http://
bit.ly/dKeous

February 16, 2011
Status Update

During National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Eating Recovery Center Asks, “Could You Be... http://
finanznachrichten.de/19390596

Status Update | Alon Halfon
February 16, 2011

Eating Recovery Center: During National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Eating Recovery Center Asks,
“Could You... http://feedzil.la/eMJWLV

Status Update | EverydayHealth
February 20, 2011
Retweeted 11 times.

#Blog of the week: It’s National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Do you know the facts about eating
disorders? http://ow.ly/3WWDs

February 21, 2011
Are you or someone you know at risk for developing an eating disorder?

Dr. Kenneth L. Weiner did a live interview for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

See flash drive for full video. page 30

February 21, 2011
Are you or someone you know at risk for developing an eating disorder?

Dr. Kenneth L. Weiner did a live interview for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

See flash drive for full video.

5 Ways to Honor National Eating Disorders Awareness Week | Dr. Susan Albers
February 23, 2011

Read More: Body Image , Eating Disorders , Eating Mindfully , Eating Recovery Center , Harriet Brown , Mindful
Eating , National Eating Disorder Awareness Week , National Eating Disorders , Neda , Susan Albers , Health
News

Welcome to National Eating Disorders Association Awareness Week, Feb 20-26th 2011. The National Eating
Disorders Association (NEDA) is encouraging you to do just one thing this week to support eating disorder
research and recovery. Here are five ideas.

1) Forward. Pass along a positive body image message or a video by a family who has been impacted by an
eating disorder.

2) Learn. Just check out the NEDA website. Find out more about this organization which helps people find
treatment and supports research or Harriet Brown’s organization on body image.

3) Walk. Sign up for a NEDA walk. Put on your tennis shoes for a great fund raiser. Or, attend a NEDA event in
your area.

4) Operation Beautiful. The mission of this organization is to leave positive, encouraging notes about body
image in public places like bathroom mirrors. For a few examples, see Operation Beautiful.

5) Tweet Facebook. Post something in support of NEDA week or “Like” the NEDA facebook page or send a
supportive message to a friend.
page 31

11 million people struggle with eating disorders. It’s likely that you or someone you care about has been
impacted by eating issues. Individuals who have eating disorders are also often diagnosed with other mental
health issues like depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. For more statistics
on eating disorders see the facts. As the theme of this year’s NEDA week suggests, “It’s Time to Talk About It.”
Stay tuned for more eating disorder facts to be posted this week.

Eating Disorders Awareness Week: How Parents Can Help | Margarita Tartakovsky
February 24, 2011

This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, which is sponsored by the National Eating Disorders
Association (NEDA).

Like I said in my post on Weightless, I believe that awareness means spreading accurate information about
eating disorders.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that parents cause eating disorders. They don’t!

In fact, many complex factors are involved in predisposing a person to an eating disorder. According to eating
disorder specialist Sarah Ravin, Ph.D:

“…the development of an eating disorder is influenced very heavily by genetics, neurobiology,
individual personality traits, and co-morbid disorders. Environment clearly plays a role in the
development of eating disorders, but environment alone is not sufficient to cause them.”

(Check out her blog post for more.)

But while parents don’t cause eating disorders, they can make a difference in their child’s life by creating a
safe, diet-free and nurturing environment.

As Kenneth L. Weiner, M.D., co-founder and CEO of the Eating Recovery Center, said recently:

“Because eating disorders are genetic, an individual who has a family history is much more likely
to be sensitive to others’ words and actions surrounding food and body image. It’s important for
families to talk about these deadly diseases and avoid behaviors and actions that could act as
eating disorder triggers.”

Below Dr. Weiner and other eating disorder specialists from the Eating Recovery Center share some of the
ways you can help your child. (I think these tips are relevant for all kids):

Keep an eye out on changes. “Parents should be aware of drastic changes in eating habits like vegetarianism
or vegan outside of family norms; it can be a red flag even if for health or humanitarian reasons. Many young
adults will start on a ‘health kick’ with dietary modifications or a ‘commitment to exercise’ on their
page 32

way to an eating disorder,” says Ovidio Bermudez, M.D., medical director of child and adolescent services at
the Eating Recovery Center.

Focus on the inside. According to Dr. Weiner, “Families and parents don’t cause eating disorders, but if they
are extremely health conscious or appearance focused, it can contribute to the development of an eating
disorder. It’s important to focus on the inside, not the outside. It’s who children are, not what they are.”

Avoid negative appearance-based comments. “Negative comments about your child’s body (looks, weight,
size, shape, etc.) could cause him or her to feel the need to look a certain way in order to be accepted and
popular, remember to focus on his or her inner qualities,” says Carolyn Jones, R.N., director of nursing at Eating
Recovery Center.

Also, don’t make disparaging comments about other people’s appearance, even if it’s meant to be a joke.

Teach your kids about the realities of the media. “Help your child be ‘media literate,’ meaning he or she
questions what we see in the media and realizes it can create unrealistic expectations,” Jones adds.

Inform them that all images in magazines and ads are extensively airbrushed. Tell them to be critical about
what they hear in the media, and to question a company’s motives.

Diet and weight-loss companies profit when people feel badly about their bodies. They profit when we
internalize the thin ideal. So have kids question where the thin-is-in and pro-dieting messages are coming
from.

Make sure your child knows that there are no “good” or “bad” foods, and avoid being restrictive. According
to Enola Gorham, MSW, the clinical director at Eating Recovery Center: “Parents should be careful what sort of
‘rules’ they set around food. Here in the United States, we’re lucky enough to have an array of food choices,
which causes us to set ‘rules’ for how and what we eat. For example, ‘I only eat whole wheat,’ or ‘I won’t
eat fish grown in farms,’ to help us manage the vast amount of choices we face daily. However, if you have a
child that has a genetic predisposition for an eating disorder, he or she may try to gain control of a fast-paced,
stressful environment by following all the rules, including the good food versus bad food ‘rules.’”

Additional Actions to Avoid
The Eating Recovery Center included other valuable insights in their article.

Below are seemingly harmless behaviors that can put an already vulnerable child at risk (these are taken
verbatim):

• The use of food as a reward or a punishment. When parents use food as a reward or punishment, it
• Dieting. Not only does dieting keep people from listening to what their bodies need, 95 percent
• Ignoring genetics. An individual with an immediate family member who had anorexia nervosa is 12
times more likely to develop the disease; and four times more likely to develop bulimia nervosa.
Individuals with a family history should be especially vigilant of disordered eating behaviors if their
loved one is involved in sports – especially those with a focus on weight management such as ballet,
gymnastics or wrestling. page 33

Healthy Eating
Today, thanks to our diet-obsessed society and the hysteria over “childhood obesity,” it can be especially
difficult for parents to know how to feed their kids without imposing potentially harmful rules.

On Weightless, my blog about body image, the skinny fad and freedom from numbers, I interviewed feeding
expert Katja Rowell, M.D., for insight. See what she had to say about healthful feeding in part 1, part 2 and part
3 of our interview. (She provides many valuable tips.)

What if your child is struggling with an eating disorder?
If your child does develop an eating disorder, it’s important to remember that it’s not your fault!

But you can do so much to help. Again, you play a pivotal role in supporting your child and finding him or her
effective treatment.

For more information on effective treatment, warning signs, the highly effective family-based treatment (for
anorexia) and what you can do, please check out the below posts from Weightless:

• What Parents Need To Know About Eating Disorders: QA with Jane Cawley
• Helping Your Child Recover from an Eating Disorder: Part 2 of QA with Jane Cawley
• Brave Girl Eating: Interview with Author Harriet Brown, Part 1
• Demystifying Anorexia Family-Based Treatment: Part 2 with Harriet Brown
• The Rise of Eating Disorders in Kids

page 3

Eating Disorders in Men and Boys Aren’t As Uncommon As Some May Think | Julie
March 1, 2011

Holland

Eating disorders in men: Are they common? Are men seeking treatment? I had the opportunity to meet with
a colleague, Leigh Cohn, MAT, CEDS, co-author of Making Weight: Men’s Conflicts with Food, Weight Shape
Appearance, and founder of Gürze Books, to get answers to some of the most common questions about men
and eating disorders.

Question: Men aren’t commonly thought of as having eating disorders. What do you say to those who either
didn’t know men could have eating disorders or think it’s only a women’s disease?

Answer: It’s that kind of thinking that leads to stigmatizing men who do have eating disorders. These kinds
of problems are not “women’s issues,” but are commonly viewed that way. Actually, the first description
of anorexia nervosa by Richard Morton in 1694 presented two cases, one of which was a boy. When eating
disorders became popularized in the 1970s and 80s, it coincided with advances in feminism, including the
bestseller Fat is a Feminist Issue by Susie Orbach. From that time forward, eating disorders became thought of
in this way. Unfortunately, the consequences are that men who seek treatment are stigmatized and the general
public is unaware that males have these kinds of problems as well.

Q: Are eating disorders in men the same as they are in women? Physically, mentally, emotionally speaking?

A: Whether a man or a woman has an eating disorder, it’s the same illness. In the same way that psychiatric
disorders like OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) or depression aren’t characterized by gender, eating
disorders are not gender specific.

Q: Compared to women, how likely are men to develop an eating disorder?

A: Historically, men were thought to make up about 10 percent of cases, and that inaccurate figure has been
widely repeated.

More recent studies, including one by James Hudson from Harvard Medical School in 2007, found the ratio
to be 3:1 females to males for anorexia and bulimia (0.9 percent of females and 0.3 percent of males have
anorexia; 1.5 percent of females 0.5 percent of males have bulimia), and even higher for binge eating
disorder (3.5 percent of females and 2 percent of males). A large study by Blake Woodside in Canada showed
similar findings.

So, not only are eating disorders more widespread among men than generally acknowledged, but some
assessment tools have a bias toward women, so the numbers may be even higher. It’s hard to know for sure
because so few men seek treatment.

Q: Are one (or more) of the official eating disorders diagnoses (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, EDNOS)
more likely to affect men versus women?
page 3

A: Actually, there was a 2004 study of college students in Norway that showed 5.9 percent of females suffering
from EDNOS (eating disorder not otherwise specified) compared to 16 percent of males. While these figures
may not be reliable for American populations, it does demonstrate that EDNOS could very well be more
common among men than women.

Q: In your experience, can it be more difficult for men than it is for women to seek treatment for eating
disorders or body image issues?

A: Men are definitely less likely to seek treatment for numerous reasons: (1) the stigma of having a “woman’s
disease”; (2) the diagnostic criteria is often biased; (3) men are more likely to be unaware of having an eating
disorder or less knowledgeable about these issues; and (4) men may be more secretive or be in denial. Men
don’t want to appear to be weak, which is implied by having an eating disorder.

Q: Are the triggers for developing eating disorders in men the same as they are in women? If not, what are
the triggers often seen in men?

A: The triggers are the same (genetics, family background, traumatic events, media, etc.), but there are four
reasons behind eating disorders that are more common for men: for athletic performance, to enhance gay
relationships, as a result of childhood teasing and to avoid a medical illness that their father had (i.e. heart
disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.).

Q: What body image pressures do men face compared to women?

A: Both genders deal with body image issues and pressures. What differs between the two is the type of
pressure.

About 80 percent of women would like to lose weight, and about 80 percent of men want to change their
weight. Nearly half (40 percent) would like to be thinner, and the other half want to be more muscular. Women
are generally dissatisfied with the way they look below the waist, and men are more preoccupied with their
above-the-waist appearance (pecs, abs, biceps).

For the past decade in the media, men are depicted more often in states of undress than women, and the
image is usually trim and muscular. When individuals are exposed to glamorized, sexualized images, the
consequences are to feel worse about their own body image, and that’s just as true for males as it is for
females.

Eating disorders aren’t gender- or age-specific diseases; they can affect men or women, children, teens or
adults. What’s important is that an individual dealing with disordered eating or negative body image seek the
treatment he or she needs. Contact a local resource or confidentially chat online with Eating Recovery Center
to get all your concerns dealt with and questions answered.

What other topics would you like me to discuss on this blog? Feel free to comment below or message me with
your suggestions.

page 3

Recent Study Reveals Facebook Use Linked to Eating Disorders | Julie Holland
March 11, 2011

In a recent study from the University of Haifa in Israel, researchers released findings that revealed a direct link
between eating disorders and time spent looking at fashion websites as well as using Facebook.

Researchers interviewed 248 girls, ages 12 to 19, about their Internet and TV use and gave study participants
questionnaires regarding their views on slimming down, their general ideas about eating, and their sense of
personal empowerment.

The results demonstrated that the more time girls spent on Facebook, the likelier they were to struggle with
body image issues or eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or EDNOS (eating disorder
not otherwise specified).

It’s not all bad news though - parents can counteract the negative effects of Facebook and social media.
The study also found that girls are less likely to have disordered eating behaviors if they have more involved
parents who monitor Internet use, openly discuss the time their daughters spend on Facebook, and talk about
the types of images portrayed in the media.

“This study has shown that a parent has the potential ability to prevent dangerous behavioral disorders and
negative eating behavior, in particular,” say the study’s authors.

I strive to be a positive influence in my daughter’s life. I don’t discourage her from looking at magazines;
however, I do encourage her to talk about the images she sees and the articles she reads. I want her to be a
critical thinker and to think about the meaning and significance of what she is seeing and/or reading about and
determine if it’s something she truly believes in for herself.

What are some ways in which you’re a positive influence for individuals around you regarding the media?

Do you, a friend, or loved one need help for an eating disorder? Check out an earlier blog post of mine to help
find local eating disorder treatment centers and other resources.

Have a Healthy and Safe Spring Break: Tips for Students and Parents | Julie Holland
March 21, 2011

It’s that time of year again, when students across the country venture on spring break trips with friends and
family. More often than not, traveling students have the opportunity to head to warm, sunny beaches to relax
and enjoy the class-free days.

However, thoughts of a week spent in a swimsuit or playing on a beach can often get females – and males
– thinking of “quick fixes” for any perceived body imperfections. I encourage anyone facing swimsuit season to
watch his or her step when it comes to drastic weight loss or exercise measures. Trying crash diets, restricting
calories or overdoing exercise in an effort to achieve that “spring break body” could cause a body harm and – if
an individual has the genetic predisposition – may even trigger an eating disorder.

Here are a few spring break safety tips to help anyone prepare for a successful and enjoyable vacation:
page 3

Remember to eat healthy. Enjoying spring break and having fun takes energy. Be sure to eat well-balanced
meals full of the nutrients you need to keep up with an active and fun spring break. Remember, don’t label
foods as “good” or “bad,” but rather enjoy all foods in moderation. Minimizing calories or drastically altering
your diet in an effort to lose a few pounds can be detrimental to your body image and actually prevent you
from losing weight.

Watch out for too much exercise. Including physical activity in your daily routine is good way to stay active and
healthy. However, for some individuals, exercising can become a compulsive activity. Read more in a previous
blog post of mine.

Focus on what your body can do, not how it looks. Your body allows you to run on the beach, splash in the
waves and join your friends in a game of beach volleyball. Try to focus on what activities your body can do,
rather than what it looks like.

Plan an adventure. Traveling to new places or revisiting the cabin you always went to when you were young
can be a fun-filled experience. Every city has tours – on land or on water – and “must see” highlights that can
add fun and adventure to any spring break or vacation. It doesn’t have to be a week focused on lying on the
beach with the “perfect” bikini body. Furthermore, if you recognize that going to the beach is a trigger for
unhealthy behaviors, choose to spend your spring break in an alternative location.

What happens if you think a friend or loved one may be engaging in disordered eating behaviors, either to
“prepare” for a spring break trip, achieve that “spring break body” or otherwise? Try setting aside a time to talk
and express your concerns for your friend or loved one’s actions and behaviors. Explain that you worry these
eating or exercise behaviors may be warning signs of an eating disorder. There is also the option of having a
confidential chat through Eating Recovery Center’s website to get your questions answered and address your
concerns.

For more spring break safety tips visit http://www.cdc.gov/family/springbreak/ and http://www.newsweek.
com/2008/02/21/six-tips-for-a-healthy-spring-break.html.

Study: Prevalence of Eating Disorders in Adolescents | Julie Holland
March 29, 2011

Earlier this month, the Archives of General Psychiatry, released a study, “Prevalence and Correlates of Eating
Disorders in Adolescents,” which addressed the severity and prevalence of eating disorders among teens. It
also examined the correlations that exist between eating disorders and other conditions.

Through a survey of 10,123 adolescents, 13 to 18 years old, the study found that nearly one in 60 adolescents
would qualify for an eating disorder diagnosis such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge eating
disorder. Also revealed in the study was the fact that, although the majority of adolescents with an eating
disorder were seeking some form of psychological or behavioral or clinical treatment, very few were seeking
treatment specifically for their disordered eating behaviors.

The study concluded that eating disorders and their associated behaviors are highly prevalent in the adolescent
population. Furthermore, because only a minority of disordered eating adolescents are seeking the necessary
treatment; these deadly mental illnesses are important public health concerns.

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Should you or a loved one require professional treatment or help for an eating disorder, I recommend asking
these five important questions about treatment for anorexia nervosa, bulimia or another eating disorder:

1. What is your experience and what are your training credentials?
2. What is your treatment style?
3. What is your appointment availability?
4. Are you reimbursable by my insurance?
5. What other information can the treatment center provide to you?

Read more about finding qualified treatment on a previous blog post. Additionally, Eating Recovery Center can
be a valuable partner in finding the appropriate treatment and answering all your questions.

What additional comments do you have about the study or your own experiences with adolescent eating
disorders?

Free Educational Film on Eating Disorders | Susan Albers, Psy.D.
March 4, 2011

Would you like to know what causes eating disorders and how they are treated? If you are an educator,
parent, student or just want to learn more about eating disorders, the film, SPEAKING OUT ABOUT ED,
EXPOSING MYTHS, EMBRACING FACTS AND EXPLORING TREATMENT, is a must see. This is the first segment of
online educational films created by the organization NORMAL in Schools. It is free to watch on youtube.com for
a limited time.

The film features some of the world’s leading experts on eating disorders such as Dr. Evelyn Attia, M.D.,
Director Columbia University Eating Disorders, Carolyn Costin, M.A., M.Ed., MFT, Director of Montenido, Dr.
Steven Hinshaw, Ph.D., Chair of Psychology UC-Berkeley, Julie Holland, MHS, Director, IAEDP, Dr. Walter Kaye,
M.D., Director, Eating Disorders Program -- UC San Diego, Dr. Ken Weiner, M.D., Founding Partner, Eating
Recovery Center, Lynn Grefe, President and CEO of NEDA, Chevese Turner, founder of the Binge Eating Disorder
Association and Robyn Hussa, the president of NORMAL in Schools as well as others.

Speaking Out About Ed dispels many of the common myths about eating disorders. The professionals
begin with a solid overview of the symptoms and types of disorders and a basic discussion of the biological
underpinnings. They explain why eating disorders are a disease not a “choice.” In addition, the professionals
make a very important point that can’t be stressed enough. Disordered eating behaviors, no matter what kind,
are a coping mechanism to deal with feelings rather than to alleviate appearance concerns. To learn more,
watch the clip.

Other resources to check out:
• National Eating Disorders (NEDA)
• International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals
• Eating Recovery Center
• Academy for Eating Disorders
page 3

• Binge Eating Disorder Association

NORMAL In Schools is a national nonprofit that educates about eating disorders (including binge eating
disorder and obesity), the therapeutic impact of the arts, self-esteem, body image, family communication and
wellness.

The next segments of the NIS Online Educational Film / DVD will be of the award- winning 75-minute rock
musical normal: followed by a talk-back with expert clinicians and people in recovery. http://www.normal-life.
org.

March 11, 2011
Newsmakers

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Voted the best small healthcare organization in Colorado | Larry Nelson
March 15, 2011

Dr. Kenneth L. Weiner did an interview for an Internet radio program about Eating Recovery Center
being named a Colorado Company to Watch and his entrepreneurism with the Center.

See flash drive for full audio.

Monster High Dolls Anger Parents | James Tully
March 17, 2011

A TV station in Tulsa, Okla., included information and statistics from Eating Recovery Center’s
Journalist’s Guide to Eating Disorders during a broadcast.

Full video not available.

Help for Parents | Sunny Gold
March 22, 2011

Resources for parents who want to help their children avoid, or heal from, disordered eating and body image
issues.

How To Help Your Child Be Normal About Food and Body Image
While family environment does play a role, parents do not cause eating or body image disorders—that’s one
message Ovidio Bermudez, M.D., medical director of child and adolescent services at the Eating Recovery
Center in Denver, wants to make clear. “Parents don’t have to be perfect,” he says. page 1

“But by looking at your own attitudes, you can reduce the potential that your behavior will send the wrong
message to your kids.” His advice:

1. NIX TEASING Nicknames like “Butterball” or “Our Big Girl” may be meant endearingly, “but even with the
best of intentions, teasing isn’t always a benign experience,” Bermudez says. “You don’t know how it may
affect your child.”

2. STAY POSITIVE “Motivation by fear, like saying, ‘Honey, if you don’t lose some weight, no boys are going
to like you,’ doesn’t work,” Bermudez says. Your motivation for kids to eat healthy and be active has to be
positive. “If the whole family is enjoying healthy foods and being active, that’s an example to follow,” he says.

3. DON’T ENCOURAGE DIETING, even if your child is overweight. Just like adults, when kids “diet,” they initially
lose weight—but then gain it back, plus some, Bermudez says. Even worse, “if you study the development of
eating disorders, many of them begin with diets.” So what do you do if your kid’s weight is truly unhealthy?
Improve everyone’s diet at home. “You can’t feed one child cottage cheese when the rest of the family is eating
pizza,” Bermudez says. “Changes in lifestyle will lead the whole family to be healthier and help an overweight
child stabilize their weight.”

Psychologists Spill: When I Knew I’d Become a Psychotherapist | Margarita
March 23, 2011

Tartakovsky

For some people, what they want to be when they grow up comes in one big
“ah-ha moment.” For others, it’s a series of “ah-ha moments” that lead the way to
their preferred profession.

Below, psychologists share in their own words the moment or moments they
realized what their life’s work would be.

Elizabeth M. Davis, PsyD, clinical director of child and adolescent services for
Eating Recovery Center.

“I knew I wanted to be in this field since my first course in psychology, which was
junior year of high school. I was always interested in science and the arts, so it
was exciting to see that there is a field that honors both. As I continued into my
college academic career, I was drawn to every psychology and sociology course I could find. I guess people just
amaze and interest me.

On a more personal note, I have watched how mental health diagnoses, comprehensive assessments and
therapy have greatly improved the lives of my loved ones. I’ve been witness to various people in my life
exploring their psychological worlds and seeking greater awareness of themselves. This has inspired me to do
page 2

the same, and then help others see how a better understanding of oneself can lead to stronger, more fruitful
relationships and futures.”

Chad LeJeune, Ph.D, anxiety specialist and author of The Worry Trap: How to Free Yourself from Worry
Anxiety using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

“I realized that I wanted to be a psychologist the summer after 8th grade. I found a (in retrospect very hokey)
psychology book at the library called Return to Bedlam that described all of the mood and anxiety disorders.
I was just fascinated that there was a discipline focused on understanding and alleviating human suffering.
I couldn’t think of anything more important that I could study. I abandoned my dreams of designing better
shopping malls, and a psychologist was born.”

Lucy Jo Palladino, Ph.D, attention expert and author of Dreamers, Discoverers, and Dynamos: How to Help the
Child Who is Bright, Bored, and Having Problems at School and Find Your Focus Zone: An Effective New Plan to
Defeat Distraction and Overload.

“After college, I taught in an inner-city school where behavior problems were a challenge every day. Of what
use were the pedagogical techniques I’d learned to teach high school mathematics if students weren’t paying
attention? I began to apply principles of psychology, such as intermittent reinforcement schedules in the form
of weekly raffles, with tickets earned by good behavior. I was impressed that gang members would sit quietly
in their seats for a chance to win a hit record album each Friday. I decided to learn more about psychology and
the good it could do in the world.”

Sari Shepphird, PsyD., eating disorder specialist and author of 100 Questions Answers About Anorexia
Nervosa.

“My ‘ah-ha moment’ was really way back in high school. My first psychology class was in high school and I
loved it from the beginning. I found it to be the most interesting, most exciting class that I had taken in my four
years there. Plus, I had another class that focused on self-esteem development and was very positive about
change and the impact we have on one another, and that just took the root of wanting to be a psychologist
that much deeper. (Thanks Mr. Taft and Mr. Boehmke!)”

Jeffrey Sumber, M.A., psychotherapist, author and teacher.

“I was studying Theology at Harvard Divinity School on my way toward a very different life when I realized that
there was somehow more flexibility in our modern age to facilitate interpersonal change and transformation
through Psychology than Religion. Both paths are conduits for personal development, however, I felt there to
be less dogma attached to transpersonal psychotherapy than religion, so I got the Masters in Theology and
then applied for Psychology programs.”

Ari Tuckman, Ph.D, ADHD specialist and author of More Attention, Less Deficit: Success Strategies for Adults
with ADHD.

“This was easy for me because my father is a psychologist. He enjoyed his work and would talk occasionally
about interesting situations (without breaking confidentiality). It seemed like interesting work and I enjoy
helping people and getting to know them. As much as I enjoy my therapy sessions, I feel that psychologists
have a lot to share with members of the public who may not seek out therapy. So I mix it up by writing and
presenting as a way to spread the word and hopefully have a positive impact on people’s lives.”

page 3

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