The Emily Program’s Post

Eating disorders can be a hard topic to broach, but the girls at Hanger Hall School did just that. Today I had the privilege to chat with seventh grade girls about eating disorders – signs, symptoms, and how to help friends who might be struggling. How can you help someone with an eating disorder/disordered eating? * Learn as much as you can about eating disorders. * Be honest and vocal about your concerns. * Be caring and firm. * Be a good role model, practice what you preach * Suggest seeking help from a physician and/or therapist. Fueling Life Nutrition #eatingdisorderawareness #eatingdisordersupport #eatingdisordertreatment

This week, we're highlighting the importance of Eating Disorder Awareness. Did you know that eating disorder rates have tripled in the last 10 years, now affecting 10% of the population? Shockingly, 1 out of 5 women and 1 out of 7 men will experience an eating disorder by age 40. Eating disorders are the second leading cause of mortality among all mental illnesses. At WISEcode, we strive to walk the walk. Our focus is promoting the nutrient density of your diet for your overall well-being, rather than promoting dietary restriction as a means for weight loss to adhere to idealistic body and beauty standards. Join us in advocating for understanding and compassion around eating disorders this week and beyond! https://buff.ly/49QrVdg #EatingDisorderAwareness #NutritionForWellbeing #WISEcode

True of False? 12%-30% of girls, and 9%-25% of boys aged 10 to 14 report dieting to lose weight. True. In today’s age of social media, children and teens are feeling more pressure than ever to achieve a certain standard of beauty, leading to an increased rate of eating disorders, such as anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, and Avoidance Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. While the risk factors for eating disorders are complex, some common risk factors include: - Body dissatisfaction - Dieting - Low self-esteem - Trauma On this Eating Disorder Awareness Week, we encourage you to check in with your children, model healthy habits, and help build their self-esteem, reminding them of their self-worth. https://ow.ly/J3o350Qxt7t #StaffordPharmacy #PharmaChoice

True of False? 12%-30% of girls, and 9%-25% of boys aged 10 to 14 report dieting to lose weight. True. In today’s age of social media, children and teens are feeling more pressure than ever to achieve a certain standard of beauty, leading to an increased rate of eating disorders, such as anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, and Avoidance Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. While the risk factors for eating disorders are complex, some common risk factors include: - Body dissatisfaction - Dieting - Low self-esteem - Trauma On this Eating Disorder Awareness Week, we encourage you to check in with your children, model healthy habits, and help build their self-esteem, reminding them of their self-worth. https://ow.ly/X83a50Qxt7w #StaffordPharmacy #PharmaChoice

We keep saying people with eating disorders have body image concerns and are trying to lose weight. But if we define eating disorders by body image and intentional weight loss criteria, then we will only ever diagnose those people with eating disorders, which is why we say people with eating disorders have these traits. Everyone else who has anxiety and avoidance toward food for other reasons (too overworked to eat, food insecurity, etc.) are screened out and told they don't meet the definition of an eating disorder, so they don't get help with their obvious eating problems and don't get counted. Yes, many people who restrict have body image and intentional weight loss issues. And there are lots and lots of other people who restrict and deserve acknowledgement and help too. #disorderedeating #eatingdisorders #treatment #antidiet #edrecovery

The term "severe and enduring" eating disorder is frequently used, but what does it really mean? Too often, this label is used to suggest that individuals who have been ill for more than a few years are unlikely to benefit from active treatment. This perspective is not only misleading but also harmful. Research shows that the definition of “severe and enduring eating disorder” varies widely between studies — there is no widely agreed upon definition. Patients can be labeled as "severe and enduring" for having an eating disorder for as little as three years! Increasingly, it is being misused to suggest patients who have had their illness for many years won't benefit from evidence-based treatments. One of the challenges with this term is that it fails to capture the reasons so many patients struggle to get better - inadequate access to treatment, ineffective treatment, and even harmful experiences in care. Labeling patients as “severe and enduring” can sometimes inadvertently place the blame for past treatment failures on the person rather than acknowledging issues in our healthcare system. As highlighted by our friend @JamesDowns and his co-authors in an excellent paper in the Lancet, resistance to treatment is not a characteristic of the patient or their condition but rather a reflection of a healthcare system that has failed to offer adequate and effective care. It’s time to shift the narrative. We are #treatablenotterminal. We need access to high quality care, not lethal medications.

Eating disorders are full of contradictions, so it makes sense that recovering from one is a complex, nuanced experience. Recovery will encourage your patient to sit with and explore these paradoxes. Often, when someone is feeling conflicted about something that supports their recovery, it's a sign that their eating disorder is fighting to hold on. Here's the beauty of recovery: over time and through actively challenging the eating disorder, its grip loosens, allowing the body and mind to begin to repair. Jumpstart your patient's recovery journey today: https://lnkd.in/gzzbFFCA

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week highlights the seriousness of eating disorders, which can involve changes to regular eating behavior and related thoughts. These changes can include: - Strong concerns or obsessions with food, body, weight, and shape; - Eating much less than usual; - Uncontrollable overeating; or, - Harmful repetitive behavior (e.g., self-induced vomiting, misusing laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercise). This week, join the Office on Women’s Health in sharing facts about eating disorders, associated stigma, disparities in diagnosis and treatment, and best practices for improving quality of care. https://lnkd.in/gnNDkvMQ

February marks 𝙀𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙝, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the prevalence, severity, and impact of eating disorders. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), approximately 30 million Americans will experience an 𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 at some point in their lives. Yet, eating disorders often go unrecognized and untreated. 🔴 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙀𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨: Extreme Weight Changes Obsession with Food, Calories, and Dieting Distorted Body Image Preoccupation with Body Shape and Size Secretive Behavior Around Food Changes in Eating Habits Physical Signs Emotional Distress ✅ 𝙎𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩: Therapy and Counseling Medical Evaluation Support Groups Helplines and Hotlines Nutritional Guidance By recognizing the 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙮𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙨 early on, individuals can seek help and begin their journey toward recovery. During 𝙀𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙝 and beyond, let’s continue to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and provide support to those affected by 𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧s. #eatingdisorderawareness #eatingdisorderrecovery #eatingdisorder

Eating disorders… a choice? Eating disorders are often misconceptualised, unfairly reduced to mere matters of vanity and a 'choice' Behind the facade, however, lies a complex web of coping mechanisms, desperate cries for control, and fixations born out of the need to grapple with life's difficulties 🌪 In our journey to dismantle these stigmas, it's essential to understand that eating disorders aren't simply misguided choices or decisions gone awry Rather, they are deeply rooted responses to inner turmoil, intricate attempts to find solace in the midst of chaos, or a way to navigate the chaos when other avenues seem elusive For some, it's a method of self-soothing, a way to grapple with overwhelming emotions and regain a semblance of control... Far beyond the realm of ‘choice’ It’s harmful stigmas like these which prevent help-seeking ⚠️ So let's continue our efforts to educate and raise awareness, shedding light on the true complexities of eating disorders By fostering empathy, understanding, and heightening our awareness we can break down stigma and provide meaningful support for those navigating these challenging experiences 🫶🏻 #EatingDisorderAwareness #BreakTheStigma #MentalHealthMatters