Teens and eating disorders: National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (NEDA)

February 26-March 3, 2012 is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. (NEDA)


The aim of NEDAwareness Week is to ultimately prevent eating disorders and body image issues while reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders and improving access to treatment. Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses - not choices - and it's important to recognize the pressures, attitudes and behaviors that shape the disorder.

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Teens especially can become very self conscience of their body image and it is an issue parents need to recognize early.

What causes eating disorders in teenagers?


There is no one cause of an eating disorder. Experts link eating disorders to a combination of factors, such as family relationships, psychological problems, and genetics. The teen may have low self-esteem and be preoccupied with having a thin body.

Symptoms of eating disorders may include the following:

• A distorted body image
• Skipping most meals
• Unusual eating habits (such as eating thousands of calories at one meal or skipping meals)
• Frequent weighing
• Extreme weight change
• Insomnia
• Constipation
• Skin rash or dry skin
• Dental cavities
• Erosion of tooth enamel
• Loss of hair or nail quality
• Hyperactivity and high interest in exercise

Teens with eating disorders are often in denial that anything is wrong. They may be moody, anxious, depressed. They may withdraw from friends, and become overly sensitive to criticism. The problem arises when parents are not aware of these symptoms because the teen keeps them hidden -- just like the trauma, insecurities, depression, or low self-esteem that may help trigger the disorder.

Source: WebMD

NEDA has an excellent website full of educational information and resources.  Click here.

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Building Self-Esteem with Teens and Tweens

It is that time again when Dove reaches out and helps inspire young girls to make a difference in the world.

Join the Dove Movement for Self-Esteem and Help Us Create a World Where Beauty is a Source of Confidence, Not Anxiety

Everyone Has the Opportunity to Make a Difference in a Young Girl’s Self-Esteem

Dove_® is committed to inspiring all women and girls to reach their full potential by caring for themselves and each other. The Dove Movement for Self-Esteem invites all women to join us in creating a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety. There are many ways in which women can take simple actions that build self-esteem in girls. It could be as simple as inspiring the next generation with words of encouragement, spending an hour on a self-esteem building activity, or supporting self-esteem education in her town.

When women join the Dove Movement for Self-Esteem at dove.com, they will become part of a community committed to this vision and will receive regular updates on a variety of ways to get involved. Currently, women can participate in the Movement in the following ways:

• Join the Movement: By adding their name to the Dove Movement for Self-Esteem women can join us in creating a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety.

• Tell Us “Who Inspired You?”: Our newest effort will celebrate the efforts of women who are leading by example to inspire the next generation to reach their full potential. We invite women to answer the question “Who Inspired You” on Dove online channels: Facebook, Twitter, and Dove.com, to honor the positive impact someone had on their life. When women share their story, Dove will make $1 donation to support self-esteem education in the U.S.*
  

• Download our Tools: Visit dove.com to access free tools to take simple actions to build self-esteem in young girls. We have reached over 7 million girls so far, and have set a global goal of reaching 15 million girls by 2015. Together with experts, and key partners we have created self-esteem building, educational programs, and activities for girls, moms, and mentors.
  

• Join us for the Second Annual Dove Movement for Self-Esteem Weekend in October: Dove encourages women everywhere to commit to spending one hour on a self-esteem building activity with a girl in their lives during the Dove Self-Esteem Weekend taking place from October 21 – 23.

About Our Partners: In the United States, Dove supports The Girl Scouts of the USA, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Girls, Inc. with after-school programs, self-esteem building events and educational resources. Dove also supports the Alliance for Women in Media.

Learn more at www.DoveMovement.com.

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