Traditional medicine is belatedly putting more emphasis on prevention than cure. With a little foresight, it's always easier to prevent a condition than treat an existing illness. Anorexia nervosa is no exception. Although my focus is on anorexia, the following comments apply to eating disorders generally.
One of the best defenses against anorexia is preventive education. This goes for children and parents. Writing for allhealth.com, a division of iVillage.com, Tennessee psychotherapist and author Peggy Elam, Ph.D. recommends the following books: Making Peace With Food by Susan Kano; When Women Stop Hating Their Bodies by Jane Hirschmann and Carol Munter; and The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf. Elam also recommends visiting Body Positive, a female-friendly site dedicated to fostering acceptance of one's natural shape while maintaining optimal health. For a sister organization with the same name specializing in helping teens, click here.
The idea, according to Elam, is to counteract the "cultural barrage" of mannequin-like supermodels before it damages impressionable, young minds. She suggests girls and women decorate their walls with female role models of varying appearances. "Find pictures of women and girls whose LIVES--not just bodies--you admire, and look to them when you feel pulled into the illusion that thinness equals success and/or happiness."
Many of the links on my welcome page contain recommended reading lists. A particularly extensive one can be found at Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention (EDAP) . Five to fifteen percent of the proceeds of book purchases in association with Amazon.com will benefit EDAP's programs and services. The bibliography of the American Anorexia/Bulimia Association is also excellent.
Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc. (ANRED) stresses action over words. ANRED's advice to adults- male and female- is to be healthy role models for friends and family. Be comfortable with your body. Do not criticize your appearance or that of anyone else, even in jest, ANRED counsels. Most importantly, the organization's site says, "Demonstrate how a competent person takes charge, solves problems, negotiates relationships, and builds a satisfying life without resorting to self-destructive behaviors."
As its name suggests, EDAP specializes in preventing eating disorders. Teachers will be interested in EDAP's Prevention Curriculum for Grades 4-6. The importance of early education is crucial. According to EDAP, 80% of adolescent girls feel bad about their bodies; 75% feel fat; and up to 70% diet. Worse, nearly 50% of 3rd to 6th grade girls report wanting to be thinner and 33% have dieted.
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