|
By Tammy Gay
During
the week of Feb. 25 through March 1, several events
will be held in conjunction with National Eating Disorders
Awareness Week.
|
Feb.
25, 2002 (Lexington, Ky.) --
Five million to 10 million women and girls - 5 to
10 percent of all adolescent girls and women - across
the United States suffer from an eating disorder.
At least 50,000 of these women and girls will die
because of complications from these disorders.
During
the week of Feb. 25-March 1, the campus and community
organization UK CARES (Counseling, Awareness, Resources,
and Educational Services), University Health Service,
and University Counseling and Testing Center will
host events in conjunction with National Eating Disorder
Awareness Week.
The following
events are free and open to the public:
-- "Recovering
Bodies" video and presentation by individuals who
have recovered from an eating disorder at 7 p.m.,
Feb. 26, at the William T. Young Library auditorium.
Refreshments will be provided.
-- "Slim
Hopes" video and discussion with UK eating disorder
experts at noon, Feb. 27, at the William T. Young
Library gallery. Bring your lunch.
"It is
fairly likely that you or someone you know could be
dealing with body dissatisfaction, eating concerns,
or a clinical eating disorder, such as anorexia, bulimia,
or compulsive overeating," said Jill Kindy, registered
dietitian at the University Health Service.
Although
the majority of victims of eating disorders are females,
males can be affected too.
Signs of
eating disorders include: preoccupation with food
and weight; conversations about "feeling fat" when
weight is normal or below normal; low self-esteem;
knowledge about the number of calories and fat content
in foods; and obsessive exercising.
When someone
suspects a friend of having an eating disorder, he
or she should talk to the friend privately and express
concerns about the friend's emotional and physical
health.
"When
approaching a friend, sister, or daughter, try not
to focus on eating and weight, but on your concern
for her health and safety," Kindy said. "Friends and
family also need to remember that an eating disorder
is not only a problem, but also can be an attempt
to solve a problem."
|
