CREATING A HEALTHY YOUTH Every year there are more and more children suffering from some sort of eating disorder. What can be done to correct this epidemic in our society?

Know the Signs According to the book Eating Disorders: Everything You Need to Know, by Jim Kirkpatrick MD and Paul Caldwell MD, There are three main types ofAccording to the book Eating Disorders: Everything You Need to Know, by Jim Kirkpatrick MD and Paul Caldwell MD, There are three main types of eating disorders. Anorexia, Bulimia, eating disorders. Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating. and Binge Eating. In order for there to be a reduction in this epidemic In order for there to be a reduction in this epidemic it is essential for parents, medical staff, teachers and anyone else who works with children to recognize the warning signs so that we can help save these children from self destruction. it is essential for parents, medical staff, teachers and anyone else who works with children to recognize the warning signs so that we can help save these children from self destruction.

ANOREXIA Warning signs for Anorexia are:Warning signs for Anorexia are: Rapid weight lossRapid weight loss Obsession with becoming fatObsession with becoming fat Excessive exerciseExcessive exercise Severe change in eating habitsSevere change in eating habits

Bulimia Bulimia can be a lot of the same signs as Anorexia. The difference in Bulimics is that they may eat but then purge their food either through vomiting, laxatives or diuretics.

BINGE EATING Binge eating is harder to detect because it is often done is secret. Someone suffering from Binge Eating disorder will eat extraordinary amounts of food at one time. Often feeling that they are out of control.

STATISTICS Eating disorders can occur in children as young as 7-8 years old although the percentage is very low. Less than 1% of children in the 8-13 year old range are affected. In the age group of 13-18, 2.7% of children are affected.Eating disorders can occur in children as young as 7-8 years old although the percentage is very low. Less than 1% of children in the 8-13 year old range are affected. In the age group of 13-18, 2.7% of children are affected. Anorexia is the third most chronic illness among adolescentsAnorexia is the third most chronic illness among adolescents 86% percent of the people with eating disorders reported that they developed in before the age of % of those before age 10.86% percent of the people with eating disorders reported that they developed in before the age of % of those before age 10. Only 1 in 10 people receive treatment for their eating disorder.Only 1 in 10 people receive treatment for their eating disorder. 5-10% of anorexics die within 10 years after contracting the disease and 18-20% of anorexics will be dead in 20 years.5-10% of anorexics die within 10 years after contracting the disease and 18-20% of anorexics will be dead in 20 years. The death rate associated with anorexia nervosa is 12 times higher than ALL other causes of death for females ages15-24The death rate associated with anorexia nervosa is 12 times higher than ALL other causes of death for females ages15-24

WHERE CAN WE START ? How do we protect our youth from developing any of these disorder?How do we protect our youth from developing any of these disorder? We can start with knowledge and leading by example.We can start with knowledge and leading by example. There are four main locations for knowledge and example.There are four main locations for knowledge and example. *HOME *HOME *MEDICAL *MEDICAL *SCHOOLS *SCHOOLS *MEDIA *MEDIA

HOME Parents are the first teachers of children.Parents are the first teachers of children. Parents need to be educated and cautious with their children.Parents need to be educated and cautious with their children. Children learn best by example so setting proper settings and examples for children is the best way for them to learn a healthy lifestyle.Children learn best by example so setting proper settings and examples for children is the best way for them to learn a healthy lifestyle.

MEDICAL AND SCHOOLS Parents should get advice from doctors if they are not sure how to educate their children on a healthy lifestyle. Teachers should also teach a healthy eating segment in their health or science classes.

MEDIA The media produces images of what a person “should” look like. These images are often not realistic resulting in young girls having poor body image and believing that these images are what they are supposed to look like. The Barbie doll image is still in effect as the “perfect” body. In actuality most women do not look like that.

The media is too busy showing ultra thin models and actresses that are ridiculously skinny. We need to start focusing on the inner beauty of people. Not teaching children that they are only beautiful if they are thin.The media is too busy showing ultra thin models and actresses that are ridiculously skinny. We need to start focusing on the inner beauty of people. Not teaching children that they are only beautiful if they are thin.

WE NEED TO: Teach healthy eating habitsTeach healthy eating habits Teach healthy ways to exercise and participate in sportsTeach healthy ways to exercise and participate in sports Change the way media shows beauty to a healthy body not Anorexic thin.Change the way media shows beauty to a healthy body not Anorexic thin.

IF WE DON’T We need to change our society and our perception of beauty along with how it is taught to our children. If we don’t the images that we will end up seeing are definitely not visions of beauty.We need to change our society and our perception of beauty along with how it is taught to our children. If we don’t the images that we will end up seeing are definitely not visions of beauty.

REFERENCES Lucas, Alexander R., MD, Demystifying Anorexia Nervosa: An Optimistic Guide to Understanding and Healing.New York:Oxford, Print.Lucas, Alexander R., MD, Demystifying Anorexia Nervosa: An Optimistic Guide to Understanding and Healing.New York:Oxford, Print. Taylor, Kate, ed. Going Hungry: Writers on desire, self-denial and overcoming anorexia.New York, Anchor, Print.Taylor, Kate, ed. Going Hungry: Writers on desire, self-denial and overcoming anorexia.New York, Anchor, Print. Kirkpatrick, Jim MD and Caldwell, Paul MD. Eating Disorders: Everything You Need to Know. New York, Firefly, Print.Kirkpatrick, Jim MD and Caldwell, Paul MD. Eating Disorders: Everything You Need to Know. New York, Firefly, Print. Martin, Courtney E. Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters.New York, Free Press, Print.Martin, Courtney E. Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters.New York, Free Press, Print. Casper,ReginaC. “Eating Disturbances and Eating Disorders in Childhood.”AmericanCollegeof Neuropsychoharmacology (2000). Web. 12Casper,ReginaC. “Eating Disturbances and Eating Disorders in Childhood.”AmericanCollegeof Neuropsychoharmacology (2000). Web. 12 Sept Sept Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria. (2012). Eating disorders – adolescents. Retrieved from Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria. (2012). Eating disorders – adolescents. Retrieved from National Eating Disorder Information Cente. (2011). Retrieved from National Eating Disorder Information Cente. (2011). Retrieved from National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from Mirasol, Eating Disorder Recovery Centers. (2012). Retrieved from disorder-statistics.php Mirasol, Eating Disorder Recovery Centers. (2012). Retrieved from disorder-statistics.php