Proud2BeMe

Last month, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) announced the launch of an interactive teen website, www.Proud2Bme.org! Proud2Bme is dedicated to promoting healthy attitudes about food, weight and body image, targeting teens and young adults.

The site provides youth with a positive, fun, interactive environment to learn, connect with others and take action for personal and social change—especially the many teens with body image issues or who have (or are at risk of developing) eating disorders. Through engaging content and community features, this unique online space offers news about entertainment, fashion, beauty and other relevant pop culture in a safe, age-appropriate environment. Additionally, there are forums and chat rooms where teens are able to interact and make new friends.

Corona Del Mar High School Presentation

PARENTS, STUDENTS and EDUCATORS

WE INVITE YOU TO ATTEND A

PTA-SPONSORED EVENT

Presented by

Dr. Lyndsay Elliott, PSYD

and

Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD

CURRENT TRENDS IN FOOD, NUTRITION AND BODY IMAGE ISSUES:

Insights To Increase Your Awareness

and Promote a Healthy Self‐image in Your Children

1. Athletics and Performance Issues

2. Body Dissatisfaction: Risk Factors for Obesity and Eating Disorders

3. Eating Issues with Boys

4. Fad Dieting and New Concerns

5. Bullying and Body Image

6. Academic Achievement Expectations

7. “Gentle” Nutrition Information

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, NOV. 16^TH

TIME: 7:00 P.M.

WHERE: CDM LITTLE THEATER

Dr. Lyndsay Elliott, PsyD, is a Clinical Psychologist and maintains a boutique practice in Newport Beach, California. Dr. Lyndsay specializes in food and body image issues, and has been an expert in the field since 1996. Her past speaking engagements have included presentations for the California PTA, Hoag Hospital, NMUSD, UCI, OCC, St. Margaret’s High School and Concordia University. In addition to her blog and website, www.DrLyndsayElliott.com, Dr. Lyndsay, posts relevant disordered eating information via twitter @DrLyndsay, and on Facebook at Dr. Lyndsay Elliott, Inc.

Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD is a Newport Beach Registered Dietician. She has authored numerous written works on nutrition and diet-related issues, including the book Intuitive Eating. Ms. Tribole gained national recognition as a nutrition expert for many years as the correspondent for Good Morning America. More information about Evelyn can be found on her website at www.EvelynTribole.com.

Athletes: Disordered Eating and Body Image Issues on the Rise

An estimated 14-62% of athletes are affected by an eating disorder, depending on the sport and the gender of the participant. These numbers appear to be on the rise due to increased awareness and treatment for such an elite group. Athletes face an even greater physical risk to themselves compared to non-athletes due to the stress that they place on their bodies on a daily basis. Those most vulnerable are involved in “appearance” sports (i.e. gymnastics, swim, figure skating and dance), however, they also occur in endurance sports (i.e. running or cycling) and sports that have weight classifications (i.e. wrestling). Many of these cases are not reported, or handled in secret due to pressures to perform and encouragement of coaches for achievement.

No one disorder affects these athletes, as food is used in a myriad of ways to cope. Some athletes may restrict caloric intake to drop weight or perform faster, while others purge their food to achieve the same goal. Others may become ravenously hungry due to high activity levels, binge because they are starving, and then compensate for calories thru excessive exercise or throwing up. Most athletes have disordered or idiosyncratic eating patterns due to the demands placed on their bodies.

Less is known about male athletes, since most of the research is measured with women. One issue they contend with is body dysmorphia, which leads to a preoccupation with becoming muscular, and a desire to promote size and strength of the individual. Many males affected with the disorder go unnoticed or untreated as there is an avoidance of discussing such concerns.

Coaches, teammates and parents should be aware of the traditional warning signs of eating disorders to help those that may be suffering. The team physician has the responsibility to monitor athletes for symptoms such as dizziness, decreased stamina, fatigue or weight loss. Without such monitoring, serious health risks, including cardiac failure, can occur.

Since the late 1980’s the NCAA has made a specific effort to target eating disorders in college athletes, conducting research and screenings. Posters for eating disorders are plastered all over female college locker rooms, and while the NCAA posts a 53 page brochure dedicated to the female athlete triad, there is nothing to specifically address males. More info on NCAA resources can be found at: http://www.ncaa.org/health-safety.

While the sport is not necessarily the cause of the disorder, the involvement in athletics coupled with any genetic/temperament predisposition to eating disorders, creates a convergence of risk factors that is problematic for athletes.

FREE Eating Disorder Support Group

DISCOVERY IN RECOVERY

Community Outreach Program

FREE

Eating Disorder Support Group

And

Parents and Significant others Support Group

Groups meet separately

Wednesdays 7pm-8pm

Long Beach, CA

                         Please call 866.267.6151 for meeting location.

Discovery in Recovery welcomes adolescents, adults & family members in the community looking for support with eating disorder issues.

There is no cost to attend our group.

Any questions, please call 866.267.6151

10 Ways Parents Can Help Promote a Healthy Self-Image In Their Children

As seen on www.TinyOranges.com:

1.    Instill Confidence: When you comment on internal qualities you instill self-assuredness in your child. Use phrases such as, “You are really good at….” Or “You seem to really know…” Reward effort and completion, instead of outcome.

2.    Encourage Movement: Find a physical activity that your child enjoys, and focus on how being active makes your child feel. Promote the health benefits of exercise, without emphasizing weight or the value of leanness.

3.    Be Aware of Influences: Monitor the sources that are influencing your child. Check out what your kids are reading though the media and facebook, and listen closely (without intruding) to the conversations they have with their peers. Encourage your child to discuss what is going on around them, and to have a healthy critical mind of what they have seen or heard.

4.    Be a Good Role Model: Eliminate the word “diet” from your vocabulary, do not discuss how much weight you want to lose, or how what you have eaten will impact your appearance. Be brave enough to remove the scale from your home.

5.    Develop Positive Self-Beliefs: Help your kids to set realistic standards in evaluating themselves. Praise achievements. Identify areas where they can grow, and give them positive, accurate feedback on their performance.

6.    Find Balance in your Kitchen: Offer a variety of nutritious and “junk” foods in your home for your children. Establish healthy eating habits. Help them to choose foods based on what their bodies need to give them energy. Do not limit portions or ban foods, and allow them treats as appropriate.

7.    Be Kind to Others: Avoid speaking negatively about other people’s appearances and weight. First, it’s just not nice. Second, your child will wonder if you critique them, and may become fearful of being judged too.

8.    Give Your Child Too Much Love: Consistently show your children how much you care about them. Give them physical affection, leave notes in their lunchboxes, offer praise frequently. But, be honest. Your kids will know if it is genuine!

9.    Remember the Joys of Puberty: Weight and shape may fluctuate with growth and maturity. Normalize changes, and make sure your child understands that these fluctuations are a natural progression of growing up, and not necessarily indicative of the future. Everyone has an awkward stage!

10.Ask for Help: If you notice any concerning behaviors, seek the help of a professional as soon as possible. The quicker you can catch any blossoming disordered behaviors, the sooner you can help to resolve them!

Tips for Parents at Mealtimes

Sit down for meals, uninterrupted and at the table as a family. Turn off the television.

Try not to bring up emotionally charged topics during mealtimes. It may cause the person to lose their appetite or turn to food to cope in an unhealthy way.

Set boundaries and expectations for what is to be consumed at mealtimes. Praise them when things go well. Avoid shaming when they have a difficult time, instead, focus on how you can help to make it easier to finish what is expected.

If you need professional support to set boundaries, enlist the help of a dietican or therapist.

Appear positive and supportive. Engage in conversations that do not involve “food talk.” Ask the person about their highlights of the day.

Engage with each child equally.

Be sure that everyone eats balanced, age appropriate meals, that include dessert!

Do not comment about how many calories, fat, etc. the meal has. Instead, focus on flavor and enjoyment of the food.

Try to control your own emotions and avoid venting about negative experiences. Definitely do not criticize yourself for what, or how much, you have eaten.

FREE or Low Cost Treatment for Eating Disorders

Andrea's Voice was founded following the death of Tom and Doris Smeltzer's 19 year old daughter, Andrea, in 1999. Since her passing, Tom and Doris have committed their lives to the education and prevention of eating disorders. On their website, you will find a comprehensive listing of treatment options, which may be available as a low cost alternative.