National Eating Disorders Week

The week of February 23 is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. To help spread the word about how eating disorders are destroying millions of lives throughout America, several About.com local guides have joined forces with the Parenting of Adolescents Guide to publicize National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. This year's theme is "Don't Weigh Your Self-Esteem...It's What's Inside That Counts."

When I was in high school, a girl one grade ahead of me almost died from an eating disorder. The amazing thing was, not only was she thin and pretty, but she hung out with the "cheerleader and jock" crowd (a crowd yours truly observed from quite a distance). Yet despite her looks and popularity she almost starved herself to death.

The book Afraid to Eat by Frances M. Berg sheds some light on how widespread eating disorders are among teens in the United States:

1. One in ten American teens struggle with various, potentially fatal eating disorders. Some die while others suffer into adulthood.
2. A national study revealed over half of girls age 11 to 19 are severely undernourished.
3. One survey found teenage girls more afraid of gaining weight than of cancer or nuclear war.
4. And most chilling of all...Berg found studies demonstrating that 34 percent of high school aged girls now smoke. Many say smoking kills their appetite and keeps them thin.

In a nation filled with supermodels and diet fads, anyone can fall victim to an eating disorder. If you or someone you love needs help, here is where you can turn in the Columbus area for assistance:

Harding Hospital Center for the Treatment of Eating Disorders--medical and psychological evaluation, outpatient programs, support groups and group therapy.
445 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., Worthington--846-2833 weekdays and evenings--Web site: None
Overeaters Anonymous--daily support group meetings, telephone consultations.
1561 Old Leonard Rd., Columbus--253-2492 seven days a week (hours vary)--Web site: www.overeatersanonymous.org
Parkside Recovery Services Eating Disorder Outpatient Program--individual and group counseling, ten to twelve week program with continuing outpatient care.
349 Old Ridenour Rd., Gahanna--1-800-282-5512 seven days a week, 24 hours a day--Web site: www.parksiderecovery.com.

The About Parenting of Adolescents Guide suggested the following national sources of information:

National Eating Disorder Hotline--1-800-248-3285 weekdays 12 Noon to 8 pm EST. Referral service, on-site therapist, general information.
Something's Fishy--A great eating disorder resource with pages on symptoms, prevention, and more.
Mirror, Mirror--Definitions, symptoms, treatment, and more.
The Skinny Webzine --An online magazine featuring essays, news, and an advice column.
Center for Eating Disorders--Programs and services of this eating disorders treatment program.
Concerned Counseling--Source of online professional counseling.
Eating Disorder Recovery On-Line--Online discussion boards, chat rooms, and more.
Renfrew Eating Disorder Center--Ask an expert about eating disorders here, plus pages of professional information and resources.
Gurze Books--An online catalog of books about eating disorders.
National Eating Disorders Organization--An organization you can join featuring various resources.
National Association for the Advancement of Fat Acceptance--Events, local chapters, and resources from this support organization.

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