Eating Disorders Blog

Joanna Kandel of West Palm Beach, Florida, has struggled with eating disorders since the age of 12. In 2001, as a senior at the University of Central Florida, she founded the Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness. The alliance is a non-profit organization that promotes positive body image and disseminates information on the prevention of eating disorders.

Now 30, Kandel is the Executive Director of the alliance, which offers free services throughout Florida and nationwide. Services include seminars, workshops, treatment referrals, support, fundraisers, and informational packets. These services have been provided directly to over 100,000 people. Ms. Kandel has appeared on "The Today Show" and "NBC Nightly News" to discuss her work. In 2009, Ms. Kandel's work with the alliance earned her a Jefferson Award, a prestigious award for community service. (Source: www.tcpalm.com)

Labels: awareness, support, prevention

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

This week Lexington, Kentucky will hold its first annual National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) "Walk Until Eating Disorders Are History." A local University of Kentucky (UK) student, Kimberly Hoffmeister, organized the walk as a way to raise community awareness about the dangers of eating disorders. Kimberly, a survivor of an eating disorder, believes that increasing awareness and education may increase the chances that other sufferers will get the help they need.

Kimberly Hoffmeister is quoted by the UK newspaper Kernel as saying, "It is such a widespread and serious problem that if we can recognize the signs and symptoms with what's going on with our friends, we can save somebody a lot of pain down the road."

All money raised by the awareness walk will go directly to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) to help fund prevention programs, the association's national hotline, as well as other NEDAwareness Week Activities. (Source: www.kykernel.com)

Labels: awareness, prevention

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

A concerned parent recently wrote in to an online food magazine for advice about her teenage daughter. The daughter seems to have gotten overly concerned about the food she's eating and watches her food intake "very closely," the mother reported. Mom doesn't know what to do, and is looking for some help.

"The first thing you should do is sit down and talk with your daughter. In any intervention regarding an eating disorder, it's important to communicate with the individual you're concerned about... It's important for anyone intervening to remember that these are often delicate situations, and simply sitting down with the individual and expressing concerns and asking questions in a non-judgmental manner is a critical step forward."

The first conversation is important, but follow-up conversations are just as important. Make it known that you will help the person find a counselor or recovery program that will help them overcome their disorder. Source: Culinate.com

Labels: prevention, intervention, communication

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments