Lori Henry's Blog

Posted by Lori Henry

Canadian children are being encouraged to ski and snowboard this year by a new initiative from the Canadian Ski Council. The SnowPass allows grade five students three free lift passes for participating mountains in their area. Also included are discounts on lessons and rentals, some of which will translate into savings next year.

"Investing in good equipment, lessons and knowing the rules of the slopes can make kids' Christmas break a fun and active winter outdoor experience. A certified Canadian ski or snowboard instructor can teach a child the proper basics in an age-appropriate manner and correct any potential problems or bad habits," said Colin Chedore, President of the Canadian Ski Council.

It's great how easy the program is. You can either buy the pass from Sport Chek, Sport Mart, Sports Experts or Intersport stores or from grade five elementary school teachers. Check out the SnowPass website for an application form and to find out which areas are participating in the program.

Wouldn't it be great to be in grade five?

Posted by Lori Henry

This January 2008 head over to Prince George in northern BC for the Coldsnap Music Festival. Musicians will perform a variety of music including jazz, traditional folk, Celtic, roots, and rockabilly by Spirt of the West, Martyn Joseph, Van Django and many more.

Coldsnap 2008

January 26 - February 2, 2008

Organizers: Prince George Folkfest Society (of Folkfest fame)

Workshops: Saturday at Art Space from 10am-4pm

Tickets: $20 CDN until December 31, 2007

$25 CDN per mainstage show

The mainstage will play host to Spirit of the West, Leroy Bell Band and Martyn Joseph. Also catch Leela Gilday and band, Zapato Negro (Afro Cuban jazz), Van Django (20s and 30s French jazz) and Maurice (with former Wailin' Jenny member Cara Luft).

Instead of staying in and moaning about the cold weather, bundle up, get out there and listen to some rockin' music!

Posted by Lori Henry

Harbour Air Seaplanes has been pretty amazing in their commitment to the environment. They’ve been quietly buying high quality carbon offsets for all their flights since October 1, 2007.

Their goal is to be entirely carbon neutral by the end of the year. An enormous feat indeed. So far they’ve done it. All of their services have been offset, totalling over $15,000 CDN to carbon offset programs.

They’re still an airline, so the pollution is still being created, but at least they’re doing what they can. So far, they’re “the first air carrier of any variety in North America and the only seaplane airline in the world to make all of its flight services 100% carbon neutral.”

Harbour Air Ltd. has stated that it’s aim is to become the first airline in the world to be carbon neutral in, not only their flights and tours, but in everything they do. A noble goal I wish more companies would follow.

Harbour Air Seaplanes

Toll Free: 1-800-665-0212

Posted by Lori Henry

It took nine months, but the Sutton Place Hotel now has an in-house wine store called, “The Sutton Place Wine Merchant.” It’s a retail wine boutique in Sutton Place’s Vancouver, BC location, which welcomes guests seven days a week.

Even though the hotel is a swanky place to lay your head, you don’t have to be rolling in money to shop at this store. Bottles start at $8.00 CDN and cover about 500 labels. So even if you’re not staying there, this is a good place to pick up some wine while downtown.

"We believe that the Sutton Place Wine Merchant will fast become a favourite of local Vancouverites. Visitors to the store can expect to find a wide variety of excellent wines, and if by chance they don't find their preferred wine on our shelves, we will gladly search the world for it and have it delivered to their door," says Manager, Cosmo Piccirilli.

It’s also a good place for a quick gift if you’ve been invited to a condo party or dinner downtown and don’t have a gift. They sell wine-related items and a custom-made gift basket that will put you back $40.00-$250.00 CDN, depending on how well you know the host/ess.

Keep an eye out for their regular wine tastings as well. There’s a Private Tasting Room within the store that will also host seminars and information sessions. Sounds good to me!

The Sutton Place Wne Merchant

855 Burrard Street

Vancouver, BC

(604) 642-2947

Posted by Lori Henry

The Adara Hotel in Whistler, BC has opened its doors to a winter package for wildlife adventurers and bird watchers. The deal, called “Eagle Safari Package,” focuses on watching the 3,000-4,000 eagles that arrive in the Squamish Valley. They come to dine on the hundreds of Chum salmon that are spawning during this time.

The Package Deal

The accommodation package sounds really fun. You will be taken on “rubber rafts along the lower sections of the Cheakamus and Squamish Rivers at a leisurely and relaxing pace.” What sounds neat is that you get to see the birds and eagles as they naturally are- it also doesn’t help that it’s something different to do in Whistler when everyone else is skiing.

The tour includes a hot chocolate break and lunch at the Howe Sound Inn. You also get round-trip transportation from the hotel in Whistler to Squamish and then the Eagle Safari Tour.

Accommodation with Style

- One night in a Superior Guestroom or Loft Suite at the Adara Hotel, Whistler

- Breakfast for two at The Mix, the hotel’s restaurant

- Eagle Safari Tour for Two, with a guide

- Ground transport for the whole tour

- A disposable camera (what an old-fashioned touch!)

The Price

The package starts at $479 CDN plus taxes for two people from November 24 – December 19, 2007. The cost then jumps up to $719 CDN plus taxes from January 2 – February 17, 2008. You can only book on weekends, so reserve now to make sure it’s not filled up.

Call the Adara Hotel toll free at 1-866-50-ADARA (23272) for more info.

Posted by Lori Henry

If you're trying to get from Edmonton to Jasper in Alberta, things just got a whole lot easier. During the winter snow season, skiers and snowboarders can now jump aboard the Sundog Tours Company's daily bus to get the best of both cities. Transportation can sometimes be the most difficult arrangement to make during a vacation, but this new connector makes the trip sound pretty convenient year round.

The new door-to-door service departs daily and connects Edmonton International Airport, West Edmonton Mall and Jasper, AB. Starting yesterday, this corresponds to the Edmonton-Jasper Friendship Week, running until December 2, 2007 and will certainly help you visit both cities in one trip.

"Edmonton is the closest urban centre to Jasper residents and visitors where they can experience the amenities of an urban centre, including Edmonton's vibrant arts and culture scene, festivals, attractions, shopping and professional sporting events," says Ken Fiske, Vice-President, Tourism, Events and Motion Pictures, Edmonton Economic Development Corp.

This just-launched initiative was created by the new Edmonton-Jasper Access Group (EJAG). The group is responsible for promoting ground transportation between the two cities, as well as the VIA Rail Express Snow Train, which goes international.

Posted by Lori Henry

The Fairmont Hotel & Resorts have announced their commitment to sustainability, a word flying around British Columbia these days. The large accommodation chain has made big steps in going green by choosing organic and local products in their restaurants and taking daily steps towards lessening their footprint, a massive task for those in the tourism industry.

The Fairmont brand has been at it for quite some time, partnering with Rodney Strong Vineyards to acquire fresh, local ingredients for their restaurants in the Pacific Northwest. The vineyard operates with solar power in order to reduce energy consumption and conserve soil and water.

The Ocean Wise program is being used in both the Fairmont Waterfront and Fairmont Empress hotels in BC, which were the first to jump on board. The program, run by the Vancouver Aquarium, promotes the use of sustainable seafood.

For restaurants, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver uses 20% certified organic vegetables and the rest is bought from locally grown and responsibly harvested farms as much as possible. The Vancouver Airport location now composts over 200 pounds of biodegradable waste each day.

Within their 50 different hotels around the world, I think the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts are doing a great job in trying to lessen their ecological footprint in an industry where waste is a huge issue.

Posted by Lori Henry

If you’ve always wanted to go to Saskatchewan but didn’t know where to start, this contest is just for you. It’ll give visitors a chance to do some winter Saskatchewan activities to get a taste of the western Canadian province. All you have to do is sign up for Tourism Saskatchewan’s SaskSecrets email newsletter and fill out the entry form on-line.

Vacation Package

The winner of the contest will receive two nights accommodation for two at the Land of the Loon chalet. This includes a deluxe room, breakfast for two each morning at the Snail’s Pace Dining Room (how relaxing does that sound?!), and a Sundogs Sled Excursion with equipment and a guide. Total worth: $1,100.00 CDN.

2008 Tourism Saskatchewan Land of the Living Skies Calendar

If you don’t win the vacation package, five winners will also receive a copy of the 2008 Tourism Saskatchewan Land of the Living Skies Calendar, also available for sale at the below website.

How to EnterSign up for the SaskSecrets e-newsletter and fill out the entry form to win.

Contest deadline is December 10, 2007.

Posted by Lori Henry

Local artist Charisse Baker will be showing her work at the Autumn Brook Gallery in Vancouver, BC. With the inspiration of rain, she has created a collection of inspired work titled, RAIN: The Charisse Baker Experience.

Charisse has chosen to donate partial proceeds to the BC Cancer Foundation.

The opening reception last night was a smashing success and Charisse mingled with the dazzled crowd as they buzzed about her work. It was all smiling faces and congratulations as a 3-piece band jammed to the full house.

Her work will be on display from November 15 - 18, 2007. Visit the Autumn Brook Gallery at 1545 West 4th Avenue to see the collection. For directions and hours of operations, please call the gallery at (604) 737-2363.

Find out more about Charisse and her work at charissebaker.com.

Posted by Lori Henry

For all of November and December, R&B Brewing Co is delivering their seasonal "Nick Auld" ale to Vancouver, BC, restaurants and liquor stores. This winter concoction is "brewed in the tradition of the Scottish Wee Heavy: mellow and warming with a smooth finish."

It's a strong, dark ale made from specialty malts and traditional hops from Kent England. The rich, malty brew is coming to Western Canada in 60 cases of 650ml bottles to be sold at select BC Liquor Distribution and Cold Beer and Wine stores.

R&B Brewing Co's Nick Auld will also be available on draft at:

• Central Bistro
• The Railway Club
• Boneta
• Aqua Riva
• Waazubees
• Habit
• Zin Restaurant & Lounge

Special cask tapping will be held on:

• November 29, 2007: Zin Restaurant & Lounge
• December 9, 2007: The Whip Gallery

Posted by Lori Henry

The Gateway Visitor Information Centre in Edmonton, AB, is undergoing interior renovations. If you plan on visiting from now (after the Canadian Finals Rodeo) until mid-December, note that the centre is closed but services will resume in a temporary facility.

All visitor services will be the same except that the building will have no indoor washrooms and the retail store will be closed. Rest assured, you will still get all the information you need for your trip to the Greater Edmonton area.

The Gateway Visitor Information Centre in Edmonton, Alberta

Gateway Park on Gateway Boulevard

Hwy. 2, south Edmonton

or downtown at the World Trade Centre Edmonton (9990 Jasper Ave)

This is actually the busiest info centre in all of Alberta, serving more than 1.5 million tourists and responding to about 70,000 requests per year. You can reach them toll free at 1-800-463-4667.

Posted by Lori Henry

Air Canada has created something new. If you travel within North America often, then check out this new monthly pass. It starts from $499.00 CDN per month and gives you unlimited travel for one or two months.

Called The Air Canada Winter Getaway Pass, it offers prepaid flight credits so you can just pick up and go. I think it’s a nifty little idea…

If you’re an Aeroplan member (the points plan affiliated with Air Canada), you also earn up to 6,000 Aeroplan® Miles on the transaction. The unlimited travel is valid on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and if you’re travelling in a pair, you get 10% off each pass.

There are three time zones this works for: Western Canada, Eastern Canada and North America as a whole. You can travel in the Western Canada segment from Western United States or within the West Coast. This is the time to pack your skiis for a trip, take a few vacations or use the pass for business purposes.

Travel dates are from January 8-February 5, 2008 (one month) and January 8-March 4, 2008 (two months). Book before December 2, 2007 by calling Air Canada Reservations at 1-888-247-2262.

Posted by Lori Henry

The Second Annual Bear Mountain 10-kilometre race will be unfolding on Sunday November 18, 2007. In conjunction with the Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort Properties, rooms are being offered at a discounted $99.00 CDN per night for single or double occupancy. This is all the more reason to get out your runners and start pounding the pavement!

The deal also includes a buffet the evening before for an additional $18.00 CDN per person. I hear it’s filled with the carbs needed for the morning race and has lots of nutritious goodies. Call (250) 391-7160 to make a reservation and quote “BM 10K”.

The Second Annual Bear Mountain 10-K Race

Starting at Bear Mountain Village, participants run along the Jack Nicklaus co-designed golf course paths. For an entry fee of $35.00 CDN ($40.00 after November 11), runners are competing for $1,500 in prize money and the use of the Mountain Athletic Club’s facilities.

The Bear Cub Kids Run

This one is for children who also want to join mom and dad in the fun. The path, also along the golf course, is one mile long and ends at the same finishing line as the adult race. For $25.00 CDN, families get childminding from 8:30am until 10:00 am (the race start time). Hopefuls also get a finisher’s medal for their participation and a $5.00 donation is made on their behalf to The Shoes for Youth Program organised by Runners of Compassion.

Phone Bear Mountain at the above number for more information and to register.

Posted by Lori Henry

Get out your books and plan for a few nights in. Poets Cove Resort & Spa on Pender Island, BC is offering a new package with a literary twist. Targeted at “bookclubs and bibliophiles”, the deal sounds like a neat one.

Accommodation Rates

For a two night villa or cottage stay, spend $195 CDN per person for a four people two bedroom villa. The price also includes a $50 per person credit for spa services within the resort. Not bad…

Dates and Transportation Details

Christmas is just around the corner and demands high prices. This package runs around the holiday season by offering the deal until December 20, 2007 and from January 1 to April 30, 2008. Pender Island is a fun ride by BC Ferries from Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay, taking two hours and 40 minutes respectively. From Vancouver, visitors can take a scheduled floatplane or hop on the ferry as well.

Poets Cove Resort & Spa

With a romantic name like Poets Cove, it’s no wonder they cater to those who love the written word. With a touch of luxury, this resort looks pretty heavenly. Their two and three bedroom villas and cottages are fully equipped with a private patio with a gas barbeque, kitchen, fireplace and two full bathrooms. The outdoor steam cave looks magical, with waterfalls and a hot tub with an ocean view.

To reserve your getaway at Poets Cove Resort & Spa by calling 1-888-512-7638.

Posted by Lori Henry

Starting now, get over to Tofino, Vancouver Island, for oyster season. This annual celebration gathers oysters harvested each year from the Tofino/Clayoquot Sound region. This is just one more reason to take in the majestic beauty that is Tofino, BC.

I stayed at the Long Beach Lodge Resort one Christmas season and relished in the surroundings. This November the lodge is offering great rates during the oyster season in two packages. The first is, fittingly, called the Oyster Bed Package and includes:

- Accommodation for two in a room of your choice

- A three-course dinner highlighting Executive Chef Jeffery Young’s characteristic oyster plates

- A continental breakfast

- Rates start at $288 CDN per night for a double occupancy, two night minimum

The 11th annual Clayoquot Sound Oyster Festival kicks off from November 15-18, 2007 and the Long Beach Lodge also has a deal for that weekend: the Oyster Festival Weekend Package.

- Two nights for two people

- Two tickets to two festival events hosted by the lodge

- Rates start at $467 CDN per night for a double occupancy, two night minimum

Book now by calling the Long Beach Lodge Resort at 1-877-844-7873.

Posted by Lori Henry

Starting today, Air New Zealand has launched its inaugural flight connecting Auckland, New Zealand to Vancouver, British Columbia. The Land of the Long White Cloud has never been this close to western Canada.

Travellers can now hop on a plane in Auckland and arrive in Vancouver in little more than 14 hours. The service, which was supposed to only be available during peak times, will be available year round because of the high demand.

“The timing is perfect for a new direct service between our two countries,” said Roger Poulton, Air New Zealand Vice President– the Americas. “All indications are that this route will be among our most popular international ones.”

Flights

Auckland to Vancouver, BC service will run three days a week from today until March and in July and August. The rest of the year will be two days a week.

The lowest online airfares are guaranteed at Air New Zealand or by calling 0800 737 000. So what are you waiting for? Come on over and see western Canada!

Posted by Lori Henry

Opus Hotel and Holt Renfrew in Vancouver, BC have teamed up to offer a decadent new pampering deal. The Lifestyle Re-style and Relax package pushes the boundaries of an inner diva to the extreme.

Shopping for Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Prada or Jimmy Choo?

If you're planning a trip to Holt Renfrew while in Vancouver anyways, stay at the award-winning Opus Hotel for an incredible deal. This is a deluxe treat for those who can afford extravagance.

The Shopping Spree of a Lifetime

Putting you back a measly $11,599.00 CDN, this includes a $10,000 Holt Renfrew gift card (think about how fun that would be!), luxurious spa treatments at holts salon & spa, a catered lunch from Elixir (in one of Holt’s private Personal Shopping suites, bien sûr!), cocktails, canapés and a tasting menu at Opus Bar, a ride in a 7 series BMW that always brings you back to your doorstep, and, of course, a night at the Opus Hotel.

You’ll also get a welcome amenity gift and all of the above services for two people. The personal shopping services at Holt Renfrew take five personalities and create fashion profiles. Meaning: go daring or go girly, but definitely go glamorous.

To book your night of opulence, call the Opus Hotel 72 hours ahead at 1-866-642-6787. Taxes and gratuities are included in the price.

Posted by Lori Henry

Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, will be the hotspot on Tuesday November 6th, 2007. La Terrazza Italian Restaurant, headed by Executive Chef Gennaro Iorio, hosts a six course dinner with Peller Estates Wine. Top wines from Peller Estates Okanagan Valley and Peller Estates Niagara Peninsula will be served under the experienced winemaker Stephanie Leinemann.

La Terrazza Italian Restaurant's Winemaker's Dinner

Presented with the Peller Estates Okanagan Valley and Peller Estates Niagara Peninsula

Date: Tuesday November 6th, 2007

Time: 7:00pm reception, 7:30pm dinner

Location: 1088 Cambie Street, downtown Vancouver

Phone: 604-899-4449

Price: $100 (plus taxes and gratuity)

Parking: Complimentary Valet Parking

The Reception: Capsante al Finocchio (seared cinnamon dusted scallop on fennel salad and Taro root chip topped with steel head caviar) will be served with a sparkling white wine to start.

The Dinner: The next five courses include Dungeness crab cake; oven baked sablefish; fresh pasta envelopes filled with lobster, tiger prawns and mascarpone cheese; grilled smoked beef tenderloin; and Pharaohs Delight dessert (a pyramid shaped chocolate ganache filled with banana custard with a Grand Marnier crème anglais).

This just might be the best valued winemaker's dinner in the city. I know I'll be there! Reservations can be booked by calling the restaurant at (604) 899-4449.

Posted by Lori Henry

The Magnolia Hotel & Spa, located in Victoria, and the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre in Whistler, British Columbia, have received the honour of one of the "Top Three Hotels in Canada." Results from the independent poll, Conde Nast Readers' Choice Survey, counted a record-breaking 28,000 votes from travellers this year.

New York City was the place to be on October 10th, where the 20th Annual Readers Choice Awards were presented. There were 25 competing hotels from Canada but only three made it into the "Best of the Best" category: Auberge Saint-Antoine (Quebec City, QC), Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre (Whistler, BC) and Magnolia Hotel & Spa (Victoria, BC).

What makes this award different than most of the rest of the larger ones is that it's soley up to the respondants, not the public relations team of the hotel. Although I've never been to Magnolia, this award has certainly peaked my interest in staying there. Perhaps you'll see a piece on my experience in the future!

You can find our more about Magnolia Hotel & Spa at 1-877-MAGNOLIA and the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre at 1-888-966-5575.

Posted by Lori Henry

Starting yesterday, the contest to win tickets to the opening ceremony of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, BC, was announced. Through the British Columbia Lottery Corporation’s program, “First Tickets to 2010,” you can get a spot at the games for $5.00 CDN, along with $1,000 spending money!

How It Works

Buy a $5.00 SportsFunder Instant Win Ticket at lottery retail centres for an opportunity to secure one of the 100 pairs of tix. You have a 1 in 5 chance at the opening ceremony and a 1 in 4 chance for anything else, including $1 million in cash prizes.

Where the Proceeds Go

Proceeds from the ticket sales will go towards funding amateur sports in British Columbia. For those children whose families can’t afford the fees, KidSport(tm), Team BC, Youth Sport Travel Assistance and Coach and Leadership Development will give them financial assistance through the profits of this program.

SportsFunder Lottery Games

Since its launch in February 2006, it has raised over $2 million for amateur sports. Not only are you supporting them through each $5.00 ticket, but you’re gaining a chance to be at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in Vancouver, BC with a big wad of cash!

For more info on the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, click here for coverage.

Posted by Lori Henry

Rocky Mountaineer Vacations has a new deal this winter. Booking on their Gold Leaf Service, they’re offering families the chance to travel with a child for free. Departures are from both Vancouver, BC and Banff, Alberta, leaving four times in December.

You’ll get to see firsthand the Canadian Rockies, Yoho National Park and the Spirit Tunnels, all while bundled up sipping steaming cocoa. Kids have their own coach with an entertainer who gets them singing, making decorations and playing games throughout the ride.

For those wondering about ol’ Saint Nick, Santa makes an appearance as the train happens upon his broken down sleigh half way through. I hear there are gifts for all before he goes.

Parents can do their own thing if they’d like some time together, too. There’s a specialty coach where you can listen to live jazz music and sip on chilled eggnog or a seasonal choice at their bar.

The two-day excursion begins at $559 CDN per person and requires two adults to book for the free child ticket (ages 2-11). Trains leave from Vancouver on December 20 and 27, and Banff on December 22 and 29. More info can be found at Rocky Mountaineer Vacations.

Posted by Lori Henry

Eating disorders can be a scary thing for parents and loved ones to deal with. Not only is your daughter/son/wife/husband, etc. seriously harming themselves, you often feel you have no idea how to help them.

Before things get to this stage, there are warning signs and symptoms that might help you detect an eating disorder and get treatment early.

I’ve written three articles on the subject that I hope will be useful:

Building Self Esteem in Children

Eating Disorder Symptoms

Preventing Eating Disorders

Posted by Lori Henry

The conundrum that is Dove has a new commercial ad for their positive body image Campaign for Real Beauty project. They sell necessities like body wash, soap, shampoo and deodorant, but also beauty products like firming and lifting lotions. Does their positive campaign make them a better company to buy from?

This week their newest advertisement was released, titled, Onslaught. In the same vein as Jean Kilbourne’s work, her study that people see an average of 3,000 ads a day, the Dove video starts on an innocent girl looking and smiling into the camera. Then the “onslaught” begins.

Images of billboards, transit ads, infomercials, magazine covers, mannequins, pill bottles, posters, food, gyms, plastic surgery and purging are flashed onto the screen at lightening speed. The end message reads, “Talk to your daughter before the beauty industry does.”

It’s an interesting angle, as Dove is a huge part of the beauty industry. But the commercial is effective and I certainly won’t complain about companies going in this direction. We just have to remember that Dove is a multi-million dollar beauty business as well.

Posted by Lori Henry

The ad campaign that has sparked even more controversy than the Apple ad or any other in recent history, is Nolita’s “No Anorexia” featuring French former actress and model Isabelle Caro.

She only weighs 62.8 pounds and has suffered from anorexia for 15 years. In her 20’s, she posed for Oliviero Toscani’s lens as a way to bring attention to the deadly disease. She hopes with the corresponding Milan Fashion Week and the recent bans on underweight models, she will show others how dangerous an eating disorder is.

Even thought the campaign was approved by the Ministry of Health, it has sparked immense disagreement about whether it’s positive or negative. Photos of an emaciated woman to someone who is starving themselves, only makes them wish they were that thin.

Wow, the photo is pretty shocking. I can’t imagine how much more extreme it would be to walk by it on a large billboard. What strikes me as interesting is that anorexia has become such a big issue for the fashion world, it’s being discussed worldwide and is now even being used by a mainstream fashion ad. That's a good thing if it makes people more aware.

Will the ad cause people with anorexia to become sicker? Will it put eating disorders out in the open to being about awareness? It’ll probably do both.

UPDATE: The ad has been taken down on orders of the mayor of Milan. This affects all city-controlled billboards, although privately owned ones are still up. No official statement as to why has been released, as the controversy is extremely heavy in Italy.

Posted by Lori Henry

The last two articles I published I think are very important. One has to do with treatment options for eating disorders and the other with Osteoporosis and how common it is in people who have been through anorexia or bulimia.

The Treatment Options article goes through all of the choices you can make when going into recovery. From in-patient and outpatient, to group therapy and alternative healing, a short explanation is given for each.

The Osteoporosis article focuses on what the disorder is, as well as its relation to eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. It offers advice on how to build bone density, the lack of symptoms that are felt, as well as prevention suggestions.

Enjoy!

Posted by Lori Henry

A doctoral candidate from New York University is conducting a study about an underrepresented topic in eating disorder research. She will be studying how long-term individual psychodynamic psychotherapy facilitates bulimia recovery.

This will be done on a long-term treatment model, which is often left out of such research. The investigation has been approved by NYU’s Human Subject’s Committee. She is searching for 6 more women to complete the study.

Eligibility Criteria

- women aged 21-55

- recovering from bulimia for at least 2 years

- completed at least 2 years of individual psychodynamic psychotherapy

- have not been in psychodynamic treatment for 6 months

- free of bulimia symptoms for the past 6 months

Psychodynamic Treatment Defined

- a focus on gaining psychological insight and perspective about the symptom

- a focus on how the past influences the present

- a focus on examining feelings and reactions to the therapist and therapy relationship

What’s Involved

- 15 minute pre-screen interview

- a 2 hour strictly confidential in person interview about your psychotherapy experience and demographic questionnaire (additional 15 minutes)

- a 15 minute follow up phone interview a month after the study, if needed

- you will receive $25 upon completion

- participation is voluntary

Interested?

Contact (781) 307-8478 or email mailto:ttotomoriarty@msn.com with your name, phone number and the best time to reach you. Mention the “Psychodynamic Treatment Study for Bulimia.”

Posted by Lori Henry

I went to a Vancouver Fringe Festival show last night that I was, to be honest, hesitant about. Called “Anorexican,” it was a comedy about eating disorders. Scary if done wrong but brilliant if done right. And brilliant it was.

Introducing anorexia as an island, it’s located beside bulimia and the small landmass of orthorexia. Statistics are used to explain the “population” that lives there, the rate of “immigration” and even the “tourist industry.” Becky Johnson then assumes a multitude of characters to show eating disorders from different perspectives, ages and walks of life.

The laugh-out-loud moments are often followed by still silence from the audience. Her dynamic presence keeps the show flowing along smoothly as each character surprises the crowd with shocking comments that are so normal to an anorexic.

The research done is impeccable and her understanding of the disorders runs deep. Her expert touch of comedy makes the overall effect extremely powerful, even to those who clearly had little knowledge of anorexia.

Becky has already received an award for the show, the Spotlight Award for Outstanding Performance. It was given at the world premier of the show at the 2007 SummerWorks Theatre Festival in Toronto.

Check out her show web site here.

And find out more about her non-eating disorder-related endevors here.

Posted by Lori Henry

Britney Spears has finally had her “comeback” show, performing for the MTV Video Music Awards. The critics have been harsh about her unrehearsed dancing and lame energy, but they comment the most ruthlessly on her weight.

I didn’t actually see the performance but I’ve looked at a few of the photos from it. She’s fat?! Even wearing only a black bikini, stilettos and fishnets, she’s certainly not “bulging” or “pudgy.”

It’s beyond belief that women in the entertainment industry are so nitpicked. I’m not a fan of Britney, but give her some slack! As for the comments that she wasn’t fit to wear what she did, who decides who’s allowed to wear what based on the amount of fat on their bodies?

It blows my mind everyday the nerve of people to be so judgemental and cruel. How could you make your living at making such negative statements about people?

But journalists do it everyday, as do talk show hosts and others in the entertainment industry. We must certainly have something else more important to say.

Posted by Lori Henry

I was recently contacted by a lovely woman who has launched a company dedicated to helping women love their bodies. Great concept!

It’s called First Ourselves and it males self care a top priority.

Mission:

To help women become free and clear: free to use their talents and passions to change the world, instead of using them to change the size of their butt.

Karly is the founder and has been through dieting and an eating disorder. Her enthusiasm for the cause is infectious and it’s worth taking a look at what she’s up to.

Her site is filled with positive inspiration and a great blog. Book recommendations are focused on ones that are fulfilling and motivating to be more connected to ourselves, rather than how to lose weight.

She also has a “Love your Body Series” in which there are numerous posts encouraging women, step by step, how to take back their lives from the dieting mindset.

You can find her website here.

Posted by Lori Henry

Things have been busy here in Vancouver. I’m in the midst of co-organizing a HUGE eating disorder event. We’re raising funds to help people who cannot afford treatment.

A bursary (we hope many more than 1) will be given to individuals who have applied. They will then get $2800 worth of private counselling with the therapist of their choice.

It’s all very exciting, but I do need your help. Please spread the word to everyone you know, whether near Vancouver or not. We have international speakers and guests coming from out of town.

Help us make a difference in the lives of so many who are struggling. Read my article about the event here and visit the event website for more info (where you can also apply for a bursary).

If you need an email template to send out to your contacts, please email me at eatingdisorders @ suite101.com and I’ll send one to you. Thanks for your support!

Posted by Lori Henry

Recently, Apple came out with an ad campaign for their new iMac. It showed a few screens with images of people smiling and having fun. The tagline "The New iMac. You Can't be Too Thin. Or Too Powerful" is written near the top. Obviously this was going to upset people and offend them it did.

A recovered anorexic wrote an open letter in the Huffington Post about how upset she was about the campaign. The Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness wrote a very public and highly publicized letter to Apple stating how unresponsible their ad was.

Within days, the ad on the Apple web site disappeared. It wasn't announced publicly, as far as I know, so I'm not sure what the company's response was to the issue. Along with the above letters, there were hundreds of blog posts and articles written in opposition to the campaign. Perhaps Apple realized how much controversy they were creating? Or perhaps they planned the attention for PR reasons?

We'll see if they broadcast an official statement any time soon.

Posted by Lori Henry

Dove is well known for using “real” women in its ad campaigns and for creating the Campaign for Real Beauty. They also sponsor leaders to public speak about body image by providing people all over the world with presenter kits.

The latest news from the Unilever-owned company is that they’ll use people who are recovering from an eating disorder in its next ad campaign.

It will encourage those featured to talk about their experience with anorexia and bulimia, which the media has said will cause major controversy. What I can’t figure out is why. Why would talking about eating disorders be considered controversial?

It’s the logical next step in their advertising campaign, whether you believe in their commercials or not. Their step away from traditional advertising 4 years ago has shot their sales up 700% for their skin-firming lotion.

Body image is obviously a hot topic for women and we differ in opinion about this campaign worldwide. I have contacted both Dove and their advertising company to see if I can find out more about the new campaign and will let you know if I hear anything.

I’m intrigued. What are your opinions on Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty and their latest proposal to feature women recovering from an eating disorder?

Join the discussion here.

Posted by Lori Henry

Until Your Heart’s Content is posed to become the largest eating disorder benefit in Canada. It will raise money for those who cannot afford private therapy and focus on the hope of recovery.

The evening will include international and local speakers, as well as musicians and performers who have struggled themselves. Renowned author of Eating in the Light of the Moon and Director of the Anorexia & Bulimia Center of Hawaii, Anita Johnston, will be holding her celebrated “Soul Hunger” workshop on October 13th, as well as be the much anticipated keynote speaker of the evening.

I am helping to organize this spectacular event and we are still looking for speakers and musicians to join us on stage, especially a male who can share his experience. We are also seeking responsible sponsors who would like to support a great cause and gain exposure for their company or service.

Save the date: Thursday October 11th, 2007 at the legendary Red Robinson Theatre in Coquitlam.

Visit the web site for more info:

Until Your Heart's Content

Posted by Lori Henry

I just finished reading a wonderful book, Mango Elephants in the Sun: How Life in An African Village Let Me Be in My Skin. My favorite chapter had to be the one called “FAT.”

The Peace Corps volunteer grew up in America and was shocked to find that African women in the northern Cameroon village she was teaching English in, had a very different opinion on what constitutes a beautiful woman.

To them, a “fat” woman is considered beautiful, as it means her husband is taking care of her well. When the local Doctor calls the major’s wife fat, the author thinks he’ll be kicked out. Instead, the wife giggles flirtatiously.

Her African friends explain that the husband shows how much he loves his wife by feeding her well. They ask her why any woman would want to be skinny and look like a boy. Without hips, plump breasts and a belly, men don’t think she’ll be able to bear children well, which is unattractive.

If a woman is married and still skinny, villagers assume that she’s unhappy. If her husband isn’t working hard to feed her, then it must mean he’s going elsewhere to make some other woman fat.

When neighbors run into each other on the streets, they say, “Jam bah doo nah?” which means “Are you in your skin?” or “Is your soul in your body?” If it is, you reply, “Jam core doo may!” meaning, “I am in my skin!” What a lovely way to check in.

I can only wonder as American TV infiltrates into countries around the world, how will that affect the body image of cultures who don’t hold up ultra thin woman as ideals?

Posted by Lori Henry

Unfortunately, cover images on magazines are photoshopped all the time. Young and thin celebrities are altered to make them look even younger and thinner. Recently, Redbook magazine retouched Faith Hill’s cover shot enough to motivate an outcry from readers and bloggers.

Jezebel.com got a hold of the untouched photo taken of Faith Hill during the photoshoot and compared it to the image that was published on the cover of the magazine. The removing of lines on her face was done, which many people didn’t have too much of a dilemma with, but the problem was the way her body shape was altered.

Faith Hill is naturally tall, thin and looks younger than her 39 years. The photo, though, slimmed her arms even smaller, reduced the leg size underneath her dress, tightened her stomach and smoothed her face to that of a girl in her 20's. Critics are outraged that this type of modification is allowed to such an extreme degree.

I’m curious to know what Faith Hill herself is thinking but she hasn’t yet made a public statement. Some celebrities request that their photos are airbrushed to the extreme because they want themselves to appear flawless, while others, like Kate Winslet, are infuriated that their images have been retouched so much.

"When you looked at the two pictures side by side, there was something inhuman about the retouched photo," says Anna Holmes, the managing editor of Jezebel.com, "I don't think we expected how much they would slim her down" (Baltimore Sun, 2007). Critics say that this is the type of thing that provokes eating disorders.

It’s incredible that a star such as Faith Hill, who actually fits the so-called celebrity mould, is just not good enough anymore. Even her body has to be tweaked in order be acceptable on the cover of a magazine.

What we need to do? Stop buying these ridiculous magazines aimed at women’s pocketbooks and low self esteem. Do you really need to know over a hundred ways to please a man or hear how to apply eyeliner for the umpteenth time? I know I have much more exciting ways to spend my time. But maybe that’s just me.

Rant over… for now.

Posted by Lori Henry

Cutting and eating disorders are two dangerous behaviors that often come together. Unfortunately, individuals who have eating disorders are also frequently self injuring their bodies.

I have just written two articles on this subject in hopes that those suffering from both of these can find the strength to get help. Recovery from both cutting and disordered eating is possible!

The first article outlines what cutting is, who is most reported to do it and what sort of treatment is done. You can find the article by clicking here.

The second article is more personal, a book review I did on a memoir that is both beautifully written and painful to read. Called, Comes the Darkness, Comes the Light: A Memoir of Cutting, Healing, and Hope, it follows Vanessa Vega as she journeys through the pain and suffering, yet finding peace at the end. You can read that article by clicking here.

Posted by Lori Henry

There is a research study on bulimia in young women going on by the New York State Psychiatric Institute/ Columbia University Medical Center.

It is a NIMH-funded, IRB-approved study of adolescents with Bulimia Nervosa (BN). The benefit of the research is that it will further their understanding of bulimia and the neurobiological factors that may lead to its development and persistence.

Here is the basic info:

Research Study of Adolescent Girls with Bulimia Nervosa

Do you binge-eat and purge? Have you been diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa?

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

12-21 yrs old

Females

All ethnic groups

The study takes place at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive in Manhattan.

Participation

Requires 5-6 hours of your time and includes interviews, games and puzzles, and an MRI. Total compensation is $100 per person. For more information please call the Eating Disorders Clinic at 212-543-5151 and mention the BN MRI study.

Posted by Lori Henry

I didn’t realize how many men and women were using anabolic steroids. In recent studies, it was found that the number of lay people using was rising dramatically, while the use in elite athletes was diminishing.

It seems that young professionals and teenagers are the largest group of users for reasons of losing weight and toning up. While most do go to a gym to workout, some don’t even do that, instead just taking the drugs and hoping to shed the pounds.

It’s also not only men who are using anabolic steroids to buff up. Hundreds of thousands of women are also using them to lose weight and tone their bodies.

I have written two articles on this drug abuse and hope you’ll read and comment on them. The one for men can be found here, as well as the accompanying blog, and the one for women can be found here.

Posted by Lori Henry

News of eating disorders in men have increased exponentially. Reports of men starving themselves on the one hand, binge eating on the other, and using anabolic steroids in between.

The side affects are scary but drug users usually fail to pay them any attention.

As the pressure on men to achieve the perfect body rises to meet the pressure on women, the rates of eating disorders and body obsession are rising. The industry that feeds on men’s insecurities, just as beauty magazines and the diet industry feed on women’s, are equalling the battlefields in a dangerous way.

Resources for men:

Males and Eating Disorders

Male Body Image Study

Men and Steroid Use

Posted by Lori Henry

The PBS kids show, Keeping Kids Healthy, will be filming a TV documentary about a family whose child has gone through anorexia.

They are seeking a family with this experience to focus on for the show in order to offer information and education for viewers.

What PBS is looking for:

- a family with a child who has gone through anorexia

- a child who has undergone a residential treatment program

- a child with a personal and inspirational story they are willing to tell

The purpose of focusing on a child is important, as the show is aired on Friday and Saturdays and is aimed at a young audience. The researchers hope that by having a child on the show, the insight will debunk some myths and stigmas that we so often hear in the media.

Keeping Kids Healthy is an educational and informational show that airs on PBS about various physical and mental issues that affect children today.

If you are willing to share your story and fit the above criteria, please contact the producer, Emily Higgins, at: emily.higgins@gmail.com.

If you know of a family who would be willing to share their share their story, please pass along this information.

Posted by Lori Henry

Rachel Hunter knows how unrealistic the current ideal body is for women. She’s a supermodel who has gotten by in her career on the thinness of her frame. With the recent ban of underweight models in Madrid and other countries, the ban of models under size 8 for Cosmopolitan magazine, the cover photo of Jennifer Hudson on Vogue and the deaths of young models from anorexia, she wants to help battle the thin-is-in trend.

So she teamed up with Slim-Fast to help people lose weight “the healthy way.” The campaign is called, “Find Your Slim” and features women of “real” body shapes and sizes. One of their mottos is, “We believe in hips, not hip bones.”

"I have always tried to be my own person and live up to my own definition of an ideal size that feels right for me and for my body," says Rachel Hunter, after partnering with Slim-Fast and iVillage.

The point is that not everyone has the same set point, size of ideal weight, so we should all set out own goals. That’s fantastic, but why is the focus still on losing weight?

The goal might be admirable, but it’s still sponsored by a weight loss company who thrives on keeping people returning for its services.

The contest they’re running is a 10-week program to incorporate weight loss goals into your lifestyle. Strangely enough, this include Rachel’s “personal weight loss goal” for inspiration. Why would a supermodel who’s trumpeting the benefits of health want to lose more weight?

I think this good intention is just another mixed message for women.

Posted by Lori Henry

Advertisers are becoming increasingly focused on young women. But instead of enticing them to buy make up or hair products, they’re now tempted with plastic surgery. Breast enlargements and other forms of cosmetic plastic surgery are sometimes given as grad presents to young women as they move on to college or university.

If that’s not disturbing enough, now “beauty” companies are honing in on that trend and focusing advertisements towards these teenagers.

On March 28th, 2007, the Southland Times ran an ad from the Youth Beauty Appearance Clinic. The copy read, “Be the belle of the ball” and ran beside a young woman wearing a grad dress.

The unsettling thing about the ad was that this model’s body was labelled with phrases such as “firming and lifting cheek,” “firm and lift thighs and buttocks,” and “breast enlargement and lifting.”

A local high school teacher saw the ad and made an issue out of it, calling the ad negative and socially irresponsible.

In her letter to the Advertising Standards Authority, she stated, “These girls are in the prime of their lives and should not be exposed to such negative influences" (Stuff Media, 2007).

The beauty clinic was surprised that their ad had garnered controversy and told the ASA complaint board that they only provided non-surgical, non-invasive, effective and affordable treatments. Hmmm, breast enlargements are pretty invasive and surgical in my books…

Southland Times withdrew the ad after the ASA complaint board voted in favor of upholding the teacher’s objection.

Posted by Lori Henry

Jewelry designer Sue Gillerlain and eating disorder recovery star Jenni Schaefer (author of Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared Independence from Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too, McGraw-Hill) have teamed up to produce recovery jewelry. Although I haven’t seen the products, the website features pictures that look absolutely charming.

The line features:

- a sterling silver charm with “Life Without Ed” inscribed, along with a hand-drawn flower

- a sterling silver bracelet and charm with a freshwater pearl and also inscribed with “Life Without Ed”

- a sterling silver necklace and charm with a reverse double rope chain and the “Life Without Ed” message

Why you should buy one:

- 10 % of each sale go towards the Seattle-based National Eating Disorders Organization (NEDA) to promote awareness, education and support

- you will be counteracting other jewelry that supports pro-eating disorder messages

- you will be spreading the word that recovery from an eating disorder is possible

Posted by Lori Henry

There’s an actual new study just publicized by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on dieters and subway delays. It states that 395 subway delays per month in New York City are due to sick passengers. The report declares that the majority of these sicknesses are people who are not eating enough.

The top two reasons for delays are track work and signal problems, but ill passengers were third on the list. New York city is certainly not located in one of the third world countries, so why in the world would people be starving themselves?

With the advent of low carb diets and the new “healthy dieting,” millions of individuals worldwide are trying to lose weight by not eating enough. While most won’t actually develop a full blown eating disorder, they will usually progress into a disordered eating pattern.

This can lead to body image issues, disillusionment about what they really look like, over exercising, and the fixation with looking better. This breads a society filled with unhealthy people who are absorbed in their size and appearance.

Is this how the people in the richest countries of the world behave?

Posted by Lori Henry

In May, a PhD research student did a study at Queen Margaret University in Edinburg to explore “people’s understandings and experiences of anorexia.”

She is doing one more study, beginning on July 9th, and is looking for participants. They will be involved in an on-line focus group on confidential discussion boards. By discussing their opinions about anorexia and treatment issues with like-minded people, she hopes to inform future treatment practices.

If you live in the UK, there is also the option of having a semi-structured face-to-face interview.

If you are interested in learning more about this study, please contact Sarah Williams at swilliams@qmu.ac.uk.

Eligibility:

- currently in the process of recovering from anorexia

- 18 years of age or older

- you have access to the internet

Posted by Lori Henry

I received the below request for a research study on eating disorders. I always recommend participation of reputable studies, as it only adds more significant information to this field.

The study has been formally approved by Nottingham University ethics committee.

“Volunteers are needed for a research project within the University of Nottingham to investigate the factors associated with eating disorders in women of 35 and above. Women who are 35 or older are invited to participate in this on-line e-interview study.

"Please contact Kay at lwxkw@nottingham.ac.uk if you might be interested and for further details. Participants will be needed until 31.07.07.”

If you or anyone you know might be able to participate, please pass along the information. You can contact Kay at the above email address if you have further questions.

Posted by Lori Henry

I was recently given the link to a young woman’s website who has struggled with binge eating. She has now recovered and is helping others get out of the vicious cycle of food addiction.

Binging is becoming a common behavior for dealing with stress, anxiety and new situations. But the consequences are frightening, as our bodies become overloaded with extra digestion and our internal systems are put to the test.

Kristin Gerstley has been there. She used to memorize the empty parking lots where she could binge, numb her feelings by eating massive meals, feel terrible for her behavior, but couldn’t stop herself from doing it.

Her research during recovery led her to write the e-book, “End Binge Eating: How To Stop Binge Eating And Take Conrtol Of Your Life!” She founded a membership binge eating website, as well as runs her own.

You can find her story, book and membership site at: http://www.endbingeeating.com

Posted by Lori Henry

Recovering from an eating disorder such as anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, compulsive overeating or EDNOS, can be a difficult battle. But there’s hope. People fully recovery everyday and live fuller lives.

Let’s celebrate the individuals who have managed to overcome this shame and who want to share their experience.

I think it’s important to speak about how we recovered in order to give light to those who are still struggling.

I invite people who have experienced a diagnosable eating disorder, who have had body image or related issues, to post about what it was that made you recover. Was there something that pushed you to it? Was there someone who made the difference?

Also, I would love to hear from individuals who are still struggling: what do you think would push you to begin recovery? What do you need in order to become healthy?

I hope to have a whole discussion filled with hope for those who need it. Spread the word and let’s celebrate recovery!

Read and post to the discussion here.

Posted by Lori Henry

Beth Ditto made headlines last week as her naked body graced the cover of New Musical Express Magazine. The Gossip lead singer stares straight into the camera with the headline, “KISS MY ASS!” The musician has made a porn video with her lesbian transgender lover, turning heads and fuelling debate all over the place. Her stage performances regularly have her taking off her clothes when she gets hot and speaking out about being comfortable in her own skin.

There are ample photos of her within the magazine, showing off her “fat” body, as recent articles from other sources have called pointed out. With the focus more on her size than her music, she is making waves in the music world. She has refused to have her music be played in Topshop, a retail store, because it doesn’t sell clothing in a higher size range.

On the topic of Kate Moss, one of her friends, as being part of the size zero obsession, she says, “You can’t hate a person for dieting, and you can’t blame a person for feeling shit about themselves. You have to blame the machine that feeds it, the thing that makes people feel like that” (New Musical Express, 2007). Let’s hope we can get to a point when Beth Ditto’s music and talent are focused on, rather than her larger size in a small sized industry.

Posted by Lori Henry

Jordin Sparks is not your typical American Idol. The singer has just won the competition, but with a different mindset than most of the others.

At only 17 years old, Jordin stands tall and refuses to buy in to the size zero ideal. But it hasn’t always been that way for her.

She struggled with self-esteem issues in the past and, instead of the show making her feel worse about herself, it did the opposite.

Says her mother, "It was huge to see her confidence level grow... She's standing taller now" (PEOPLE magazine, 2007).

At a size 12, Jordin always felt bigger than her classmates and friends. But she told PEOPLE magazine that things have changed for the better, "I'm really comfortable in my own skin. I learned that I'm not ever going to be a size two. I would look so weird as a size two. Somebody would blow and I would fall right over. It just wouldn't be healthy."

We’ll see where this win will take her. I can only hope that she can keep this strong attitude while she gains success. Too many celebrities talk the talk and then begin rapidly losing weight while denying they have a problem. Stand up to the industry!

Posted by Lori Henry

Nicole Richie and Mischa Barton have yet again been tied to the eating disorder anorexia, rehab and hospitals.

Just weeks after Nicole reportedly got out of rehab for anorexia and substance abuse, she sent an email to friends inviting them to a Memorial Day BBQ. Allegedly, after the where, when and why’s, she wrote, "There will be a scale at the front door. No girls over 100 pounds allowed in. Start starving yourself now" (Exposay, 2007)

In an interview with Dr. Joyce Brothers, the Doctor stated, "Clearly, she is thumbing her nose at the people in rehab. It's a huge form of acting out, and it shows that the treatment for her eating disorder did not do any good" (In Touch Magazine, 2007).

Dr. Majid Ali, a nutritionist, was quoted as saying, "I would place Nicole's weight at about 83 pounds. At 5'1, she should weigh 105 to 110 pounds. You can see a bit of bloat of her belly, consistent with a malnutrition syndrome. I would be very concerned for her health if I was a family member" (In Touch Magazine, 2007).

At the BBQ, Mischa apparently fell down and shrieked that she was dying. The two girls have repeatedly denied rumors of suffering from anorexia and have done nothing to quell the suspicions. Their weight seems to drop on a constant basis and they both look dangerously sick.

Posted by Lori Henry

Serinda Swan had been modelling in her teen years after a growth spurt at the age of 14. Her five-foot-eight frame was the perfect height for modelling. But as her body developed more womanly curves, her agent told her she needed to lose weight to replicate her younger body.

Instead of going on a diet, though, she decided that losing weight to attain her dream wasn’t what she wanted to do.

"I didn't want to find out the reality that if I wanted my dream, I had to lose weight. That's a crushing dream for anybody… to change yourself to get your dream. Nobody should have to do that," she told Chatham Daily News (2007).

So giving up modelling seemed the only choice she had. But after winning the GUESS Watches International Model Search last month, everything changed. She says CEO Paul Marciano made a comment afterwards that pleasantly really surprised her.

"He stopped me and he asked me 'what size are you?"' . . . 'I'm like, a size 26, 27 in jeans.' He paused for a second and my heart started beating faster . . . and he's like, 'Just, whatever you do, don't lose any weight,’” she recalls (Chatham Daily News, 2007).

The 22-year-old model was ecstatic that she could follow her dreams without changing herself. She stays active in the outdoors of Vancouver, British Columbia, and balances her love of sweets with fruits and veggies.

Could this be a shift in the modelling world? Could too-thin be on its way out? I applaud Paul Marciano for seeing beauty and encouraging Serinda to stay the way she is.

Posted by Lori Henry

I have seen a lot of ads that make me cringe, look away in disgust and become angry over. But this one takes the cake: an ad for laxatives that’s clearly designed for people struggling with an eating disorder.

The copy reads, “Drop-dead gorgeous guts” and the campaign is called, “Beautify Your Inside.” The model is a young, 30-something woman, a far cry from the target market who use laxatives, most commonly people over 60.

I read the FAQ’s section and the top questions are: What are net carbs? And Do Metamucil Capsules have zero net carbs? If that’s not directed at Bulimics, I’m from outer space.

This ad makes me ill. People who are suffering from an eating disorder are vulnerable to just such encouragement to keep making themselves sicker. A marketing campaign such as this one are, not only created in poor taste, but are down right dangerous.

I’m looking for the mailing/email address to send complaint letters but I have yet to find it. If anyone figures it out, please let me know in the discussion forum below. Let’s speak out about horrible ads like this!

Click here to view the discussion orpost info about Proctor and Gambles address.

Posted by Lori Henry

Recently, Kate Winslet sued a magazine for reporting that she saw a diet Doctor to lose weight. An announcement this week states that she has won her settlement from Grazia magazine, a nice sum of 3,000 British pounds.

She has been outspoken about her dissatisfaction with the way the media portrays women and, fittingly, has donated the winnings to an eating disorders organization. beat, UK’s leading eating disorder charity, is the lucky recipient.

"Kate said at the time that she would donate her winnings to an eating disorder charity and that is what she has done," said Mary George of beat (In the News, 2007).

This gracious step has been highly publicized, as Winslet has been an advocate for a more positive body image for young women. She worries her own daughter will develop feelings of shame of her body because of the publics fascination with thinness.

Posted by Lori Henry

A new study is being held for people who are recovering from anorexia. It will look at experiences and opinions of the eating disorder and its treatment.

All answers and correspondence is completely confidential and anonymous. This includes email interviews that are one-on-one with the moderator.

The research has been ethically approved and is supported by the Queen Margaret University, Edinburg.

Eligibility:

- you are 18 years old or over

- you have access to the internet

- you are in the process of recovering from anorexia

- you are currently experiencing anorexia or have experienced it in the last 24 months

Participating in this type of research is a great way to give back. By sharing your experiences, better research can be done and, hopefully, better treatment given.

If you are able to be involved, please contact Sarah Williams at: swilliams@qmu.ac.uk

Posted by Lori Henry

College and university is a difficult time for some. Homework piles up, teachers and parents add stress to an already anxious workload, and making ends meet while still upholding a social life all accumulate within the first few weeks.

Eating disorders are a common way to deal with all of the pressure and new situations. Campuses are large and sometimes scary places where feeling overwhelmed is not unusual.

I recently completed an interview for the College and University feature writer, Naomi Rockler-Gladen. We talked about life as a college or university student and how that lifestyle can contribute to developing eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating.

The rates reach elevated heights each year, as students strive to achieve more and more success in their post secondary education. Average grades are becoming higher as people study harder, knowing that tough competition is vying for the same jobs.

It is within this atmosphere that eating disorders are frequently born. You can read the interview by clicking here.

Posted by Lori Henry

I have spent the last three weeks in the south west of France, learning how to eat. Of course, that wasn’t the purpose of my trip, but it became a large part of it.

The French take food seriously: large meals are prepared three times a day and, generally speaking, they’re eaten sitting down with family, friends and good conversation. The dishes are savoured and they take their time finishing them. It really made me appreciate the meals that I ate and it kept me in touch with my appetite.

I’m not saying that everyone needs to go to France in order to build a better relationship with food, but a very important part of recovering from an eating disorder is learning to eat consciously in order to feel fulfilled both spiritually and physically.

I wrote an article on mindful eating, meaning eating our meals consciously and appreciating every bite. You can find it by clicking here.

Posted by Lori Henry

I found this amazing new project that I thought I would share with everyone. It’s called Real Females Unite and it’s been created by a young woman who has PASSION! She struggled with an eating disorder, bulimia, for 3 years.

She is now working on a recovery book, as well as this ambitious new project. Called Project Unplastic, she has created a new forum for people who are recovering or have recovered from an eating disorder. Note that the forum is kept positive and pro-recovery.

This is where readers can build a community of support and help inspire and encourage each other through recovery. Her hope is to have participants share ideas and thoughts on body image, societal expectations, and how to be happy and healthy women. Doesn’t sound like a bad idea!

Through Project Unplastic, she will also write a book. She wants it to be unlike all of the other eating disorder books in stores today and will focus on tools that are helpful on our journey to “health and true self-acceptance.” People can contribute to the book by emailing her to be anonymously interviewed.

If you’d like to be a part of the book or find out more info on this exciting new project, click onto Real Females Unite.

Posted by Lori Henry

Although the runway models in India are usually less sickly looking than their American counterparts, the organizers of the country’s most important fashion show, Lakme Fashion Week in Mambai, are still making an effort to promote a positive body image.

Last year, in the midst of the skinny fashion model debate, India joined several other countries like Spain and Italy in banning underweight models from working in their shows.

The program included models with ampler busts and actual behinds, a surprising site to see on the runway. But the clothing looked fantastic and the models were super confident.

Said one of the consultants of the Mumbai fashion show, Ravi Krishnan, “We don't want to project a wrong image and promote unhealthy habits.” (Yahoo! Health, 2007)

He continued by saying that the focus was on fitness rather than the ultra skinny look. The organizers also ran backup checks on all models, male and female, who were participating, making sure they weren’t suffering from an eating disorder.

Designer Abhishek Dutta commented publicly that he agreed with the direction the fashion world was going: “My models are healthy and beautiful and they can all accentuate my clothes very well. (Yahoo! Health, 2007)

This positive step has not hindered the women of India in the least. They are still winning beauty pageants around the world, most recently Miss World and Miss Universe. Millions of young girls look up to these women and hopefully this will result in fewer eating disorders in the country.

It is reported that the rate of eating disorders has been rising, as was other North American influences like obesity. The country is home to 57 million emaciated children under the age of five, according to United Nations.

Posted by Lori Henry

The daughter of Donatella Verscare, Allegra Beck, is 20 years old. Her mother has gone public and announced that she is suffering from anorexia.

She told the press via her spokesman, “Our daughter, Allegra has been battling anorexia, a very serious disease for many years. She is receiving the best medical care possible to help overcome this illness and is responding well.” (MSNBC News, 2007)

This statement has quenched the rumors that were going around the internet about Allegra’s skeletal figure. She has been photographed for many years and the rumors were getting worse.

Her mother decided to go public in order to get the media attention away from her. The statement also says that she has been battling the disease for many years and that giving her privacy during this time in her life is much appreciated while she tries to recover.

Currently, she is undergoing treatment in the United States, not in a hospital, as was recently reported.

Posted by Lori Henry

The Rosemount Australian Fashion Week has announced its decision to release “Healthy Weight and Body Image” guidelines. The focus is on media editors and photographers, who are the ones clicking the photos of the models and deciding which ones are to be published.

A part of the guidelines states that it isn’t uncommon for photos to be taken that portray the model incorrectly. Meaning, thinner than they actually are.

The head of the fashion week, Simon Long, is concerned that photographers are taking the “too skinny” controversy too far and clicking photos of models in certain poses that enhance the amount of bones protruding from their skin.

He says that photographers are waiting for the moment when the model pauses in an awkward way that makes them look thinner.

"On occasions there can be some very unfortunate poses where models may twist their hips and expose rib cages, where they can look extraordinarily thin when they are not,' he was quoted as saying. (The Daily Telegraph, 2007)

Long goes on to explain that he realizes how some young girls look up to these models obsessively and that this portrayal is negative for their self-esteem and body image.

Posted by Lori Henry

MySelfHelp.com is a fabulous new network for those looking for an encouraging on-line community to feel supported by.

Their newest initiative is a unique and fantastic idea: Pen Pals and ED Buddies. Oftentimes when recovering, we see our therapist once a week, as well as Doctors, nutritionists and whoever else is part of our “team.” But in between appointments can be the hardest time to keep feeling sane.

MySelfHelp has implemented a program where people who have been recovered can post in their profile about their strength, weaknesses and hobbies. “Little sisters” can then contact them to buddy up to have a strong support.

For those who are struggling to recovery, they can write a brief paragraph about themselves and what kind of buddy they would like. They also list their strengths, weaknesses and hobbies in order to find the right match.

The site will then post any feedback, inspiring stories or encouraging tidbits from people who have experienced this program. This is a great way to have someone who has “been there” help you through.

I don’t think MySelfHelp is in any way trying to replace professional help, but compliment it. Their program should be undertaken while still in therapy with a professional.

Visit MySelfHelp.com to join the community.

Posted by Lori Henry

After a 15-year struggle with an eating disorder, this survivor has now created a blog to help others on their own road to recovery.

She has read all of the books on eating disorder in an attempt to figure out what she was going through, earning, as she calls, “an unofficial PhD in eating disorder studies.” I’m sure many people can relate to that.

Readers can send in their information to become a part of the Official Survivor Club, allowing members to feel connected to a community of positive support.

The blog also features resources and links for more information and other like-minded sites.

I’m always excited when another great resource for recovery is created and this is certainly one that will attract those who need a little bit of light and inspiration on their journey.

You can read the blog at: http://www.edsurvivorsclub.blogspot.com

Posted by Lori Henry

Carmen Electra is known for her curvaceous body. She starred in the hit TV show Baywatch, where she strutted around in a bathing suit all day. She has also posed naked in Playboy on numerous occasions.

Another stint lead her to dancing with The Pussycat Dolls and starring in the movie I Want Candy, in which she plays “Candy.”

But it’s taken her many years to feel satisfied with her shape and feel good about her body.

She’s quoted as saying, “As a teenager, I really hated my curves. I felt quite disgusted with myself and went through periods of not eating. It definitely wasn’t healthy. Body image has always been something I’ve had to deal with but now I feel much more confident within myself.” (E Canada Now, 2007)

Posted by Lori Henry

The coverage for the recent ban of underweight models in Spain, and the controversy in Italy, the United States and London, has been tremendous. The eating disorder-related deaths of models like Luisel and Eliana Ramos, and Ana Caroline Reston, were also, and still continue to be, widely discussed.

In London, the British Fashion Council has taken the current debate and given it voice. Too-skinny models are not the only ones working, and certainly not all models have anorexia or bulimia, but the message the fashion industry is sending to young and impressionable girls is that models that they look up to have to be skin and bones in order to be considered beautiful.

Lady Kingsmill, a Labour peer and former deputy chairwoman of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, has spearheaded an inquiry into the health of models during London Fashion Week. This includes industry representatives, medical professionals and eating disorder experts.

The outcome of this report will be incorporated into next year’s London Fashion Week in September.

The Eating Disorders Association has responded positively to this action, stating, "We particularly welcome involvement of someone with such an established reputation as Lady Kingsmill." (Guardian Unlimited, 2007)

For a list of all coverage, click here.

Posted by Lori Henry

Taking place in British Columbia, Canada, Tannis Hugill runs fantastic authentic movement workshops for those wanting to connect with themselves and their bodies.

Below are the spring workshops coming up:

Healing artist Tannis Hugill, RCC, RDT, ADTR is a Certified Practitioner of Ecstatic Body Postures by the Cuyamungue Institute. Also a registered dance and drama therapist, BC Clinical Counsellor and creator of ritual theatre, she has been devoted to the healing arts for over 20 years. In Vancouver, her private therapy practice includes teaching workshops in Authentic Movement, and Moving Prayer. Her passion is helping others experience the healing pleasure of knowing the presence of spirit in their bodies.

Please contact Tannis at (604) 267-9951/ tannisis@shaw.ca, www.awakeningbodywisdom.com for registration and information

Witnessing Our Journey

A Workshop in Authentic Movement

Led by Tannis Hugill

April 26, 2007

7:30-9:30pm

Yoga on 7th

156 East 7th at Main

$20

Required for participation in Witnessing our Journey workshop for those with no prior Authentic Movement experience

Authentic Movement is a practice of movement meditation in the presence of a witness. The form's clear structure, and focus on the body, encourages exploration of unconscious realms for personal and spiritual growth as well as creative process. This evening's class will provide an introduction to the form enabling participants to enrich their experience of their body's guidance with trusting acceptance.

Witnessing Our JourneyLed by Tannis Hugill

A Workshop in Authentic Movement

May 3 to June 21, 2007

7:30-9:30pm

Yoga on 7th

156 East 7th at Main

$240

Discount available for students

April 26 Introduction required for those with no prior Authentic Movement experience

Authentic Movement is a moving meditation in the presence of a supportive witness. It is used for personal growth, creativity and spiritual reflection. In this workshop we will learn and practice this form to inhabit ourselves with trusting acceptance.

When we are moved by the wisdom of our bodies, we discover our power, our passion, and the gifts of our life¹s sacred journey.

Moving with Spirit:

Ecstatic Body Postures and Authentic Movement

with Tannis Hugill

Saturday, May 12, 2007

10 am to 5:30 pm

Pacific Mountain Centre

3309 Dunbar at 17th

$85 - $65 for students

Open to the wisdom of the body, the earth, our ancestors, and spirit.

Learn to journey to the realms of Non-ordinary Reality using ŒEcstatic Body Postures¹ and integrate the teachings of spirit into conscious awareness with Authentic Movement.

Posted by Lori Henry

The world knows actor Dennis Quaid as a heartthrob and talented performer. It was a surprise, then, when he admitted to struggling with anorexia during the 1990’s.

Now dubbed “Manorexia,” which encompasses men who struggle with anorexia, Quaid said it began when he lost 40 pounds for the role of Doc Holliday in the film Wyatt Earp.

"I'd look in the mirror and still see a 180-lb. guy, even though I was 138 pounds," he was quoted as saying. “For many years, I was obsessed about what I was eating, how many calories it had, and how much exercise I'd have to do." (People Magazine, 2006)

Experts and eating disorder Doctors sighed a collective relief when he spoke out, as men with eating disorders are usually feeling even more shame than women about battling a “female” disease.

Men often feel humiliated to come forward because of the stigma attached to eating disorders, and don’t get help. This leads to them struggling alone and without professional assistance.

For more resources on men and eating disorders, please read the article here.

Posted by Lori Henry

David Beckwermert was known as a successful businessman, being the CEO and President of a billion-dollar Calgary oil and gas company. His family life was idyllic, with a long-term marriage and 3 children, but he was hiding a painful secret.

Berckwermert has suffered from bulimia for most of his adult life. He admitted to purging up to 10 times a day, feeling out of control and powerless.

"I'd overeat, then go to the bathroom and puke. I didn't think about it any more than I did washing my hands or brushing my teeth," he says in an interview (The Vancouver Sun, 2007).

He began bulimic behavior when he was in university. A job at a logging camp became available and he jumped at the opportunity. What he didn’t anticipate was the abundance of good food that a college life of Kraft dinner and noodles denied him.

But because his mother was overweight, he knew he didn’t want to gain weight. Thus began his dangerous dance with bulimia, which lasted for many years to come.

He would now like to lessen his job as an executive and send more energy helping others with eating disorders and emotional eating issues.

Posted by Lori Henry

Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie have been inescapable in the headlines for the past couple of years. More than even their dense comments and partying ways, is coverage about their alleged eating disorders.

Nicole has lost an extreme amount of weight in the past year, which she denies as being anorexic behavior, and Paris was believed to be bulimic after her cell phone and all of its information was stolen and publicized.

Now the stars of The Simple Life are gearing up for a new jaunt in the area of body image. They will be counselors at an overweight camp for those who are trying to lose weight.

A rep for E! confirms this news and the show will be aired during the 5th season on The Simple Life.

The rep is quoted as saying, “They are going to be camp counselors at one camp in the Southern California Mountain. The camp has five different themes. Each week will be a different theme. And yes, one week is a weight loss/fitness camp. It’s not a fat camp.” (US Magazine, 2007)

Posted by Lori Henry

Scarlet Pomers is an actress and musician who has recently come out about her struggle with anorexia.

She is an ambassador for NEDA and has lent her voice to their current PSA campaign, along with other celebrities like Paula Abdul and Wyonna Judd.

Scarlett’s charity, Arch-Angels, was created to benefit NEDA. At only 18-years-old, she kicked off her multi-single record, Project Chains, on May 18, 2007, on behalf of eating disorders.

This week, she announced that she has raised $7,300.00 for NEDA. Through an auction on e-bay, a guitar was donated by Minarik Guitars, who also endorses Scarlett. The auction went live on February 25 and ended on March 7, 2007.

The guitar was a Fireburst Goddess and was signed by Scarlett Pomers, Stevie Nicks, Alanis Morissette, Terri Nunn, Reba McEntire, Sara Evans, Rob Zombie, Motorhead, Lit, Hoobastank, Queens of the Stone Age, Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, The Vandals), Steve Vai, and Lacuna Coil.

Scarlett is doing major work around the issue of eating disorders and teenaged girls all over the world have written to her in thanks for coming out about her struggle.

She has written her story on the NEDA website (www.edap.org), as well as info if you’d like to donate to her charity, Arch-Angels.

You can buy her album, Project Chains, through her website: www.scarlettpomers.com. Proceeds will go towards NEDA.

Posted by Lori Henry

A new film, titled, Generation XXL, follows 4 teenagers as they deal with their weight and the lives around them. The movie strives to present obesity as a far more complicated issue than just eating less or getting off the couch.

LOGLINE:

“Four overweight teenagers in Nova Scotia struggle with issues of body image and selfesteem, and attend an intervention program that may help set them on a healthier path.”

The intervention program they attend is called FIT Intervention, and was designed by youth specialist Peter Davison and a series of experts specializing in youth and body image disorders.

The program was created to empower young people by helping them understand themselves and societal influences.

Teresa MacInnes directs this timely film and is a former social worker. She came to the film after it was developed by Ziji Film and Television Ltd. with a fascination with youth. She stresses that headlines are written about them everyday, yet many don’t really understand them.

Canadians can catch the documentary on CBC Newsworld on March 17th, 2007 at 9:00am EST.

Otherwise, it will screen on between April 13th and 20th at the Sprockets International Film Festival for Children, and at the Viewfinders International Film Festival for Youth in Halifax between April 24th and 28th, 2007.

Posted by Lori Henry

Another celebrity, Britney Spears, has admitted that she suffered from bulimia

Spears has had her share of front-page scandals and drama. Her latest expose is her confession of struggling with bulimia since she was 16-years-old. She told Doctors that she binges on fast food like hamburgers, chocolate, ice cream and donuts, and then purges because she’s afraid of gaining weight.

A “source” was quoted as saying, “Doctors are alarmed at the physical state she is in. They confronted her about her desperately unhealthy lifestyle and the truth came pouring out” (Britney Spears Watch, 2007).

Britney has said that she stopped her behavior while she was pregnant with her 2 sons, but fell back into it when she was desperate to lose the weight she had gained from the pregnancy.

The reports from the rehab staff say that she was a wreck when she arrived for treatment, shaking, turning hot and then cold, and throwing up all of the food she was eating. Although the Doctors initially thought the vomiting was from the medication, she soon confessed that she was bulimic.

More and more celebrities are speaking out about their struggle with eating disorders. What was once a hushed topic has now become one of the most publicized topics in recent months. With the deaths and banning of underweight models, when will people start taking these deadly diseases seriously?

Posted by Lori Henry

A writer has contacted me regarding a new e-book being compiled about people who have recovered from anorexia. She is looking for stories to add for those who have used alternative treatment to recover.

Interviews would take place via email and anonymity would be guaranteed if you wish to participate but don’t want to reveal your name. The discussion would take place over a few hours on email.

It is important that those of us who have experience to share with eating disorders share our stories. This is a wonderful way to help others get on the road to recovery.

You can contact the writer at: bonny@netwriter.ca

Posted by Lori Henry

Bradley Bayou was a designer for celebrities, working as the creative director at Halston. He dressed stars such as Drew Barrymore, Halle Berry and Oprah.

But after a bit of a crash that lead Halston’s to struggle with its business, they found themselves not attracting the name stars they once did.

Then came along Queen Latifah, who needed a dress for her 2003 Academy Award nomination for Chicago. Bayou created a Hollywood Golden Age-style gown that was an instant classic. Made of blue satin, it hugged Latifah’s curves in all the right ways.

Thus began Bayou’s surge of more full figured celebrities. Clients such as Barbara Streisand, Mariah Carey, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Salma Hayek began calling him up to get their dresses designed.

"I began to understand different-shaped women and what makes them look good," Bayou said. "There are major groups of women in this country . . . where do they shop? I want to help women. Style should be something that's affordable and offered to everyone no matter what their size is. I'm going to do more and more and more for everyone."

Well, full figured actresses are still a lot different from average women, but it’s a start. The realization that women of all sizes need fabulous clothing that they can wear might be news to the design industry, but women have been vying for this for years.

Bradley followed his instincts and wrote a book called The Science of Sexy Gotham Books, where he researched 10,000 women and men of all sizes to come up with 48 body types. The book includes tips for each one, as well as advice for which styles will work for each type.

He gets points for trying. "I am not trying to tell you what to wear," Bayou said. "I am trying to tell what will look good on practically any body type. It's a basic foundation to have."

Ironically, Bayou’s daughter struggled with bulimia in her late teen years, without him knowing it. Now, 27, she has gotten help and is proud that her father is making a difference.

Posted by Lori Henry

The Women’s Expo is being held this year at Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) on March 10-11, 2007. Over 150 exhibitors will be sharing their wares, services and products.

Exhibitors include, but are not limited to, women-based businesses, educational opportunities, motivational speakers, used books, home improvement, health and fitness, support groups for women, and fashion and cosmetics.

The expo is being put on by the AAWCC, “a non-profit national organization dedicated to women in community colleges and local businesses, working towards making a connection for everyone.”

There will be a talk entitled “Health at Every Size: The Truth About Your Weight and Your Health and The Nondiet Approach To Weight Management” by Deborah Kauffman.

It will take place at Gym 1 on Saturday March 10. You can also visit her booth, “Mindfulness Based Nutrition Counseling" for more information on her work.

Event Details:

Women's Expo at CCBC Catonsville

800 South Rolling Road

Baltimore, MD 21228

www.womensexpomd.com

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Sunday, March 11, 2007

10:00 AM -- 5:00 PM

Admission $6.00 per day at the door

Students with valid College ID get in FREE

Posted by Lori Henry

Eating in the Light of the Moon, by Anita Johnston, uses metaphor and storytelling to explore women’s relationships with food. It digs deeper than most books to flesh out how women relate to themselves.

Shelley Jensen, of “S” Team Counselling Services, is hosting an Eating in the Light of the Moon Book Study Group for those who want to look within for the answer to the question: why do I eat emotionally?

The group meets once a week for 6 weeks in a 2-hour block of time. The last week includes a small celebration for the completion of the workshop.

Participants are given homework after each group, based around “pondering questions” such as, What are you telling yourself that is keeping you frightened of your own power? or Can you describe a time when you chose to take a chance and followed your intuition even when others in your life criticized you? How did you feel?

Affirmations are also included to help each woman celebrate the work she has done and the work she has yet to do within herself.

I have attended one of the groups and it was an absolutely wonderful experience. Shelley is a supportive and inspiring facilitator and creates a warm and loving environment in which to seek the truth within ourselves.

The sessions are on-going, so contact Shelley Jensen for more information on when the next group starts.

All workshops are held at the “S” Team Counselling office:

2300 - 2850 Shaughnessy Street,

Port Coquitlam, BC,

Canada V3C 6K5

Tel: 604-552-4363

Fax: 604-463-3132

Email: shelleysteam@telus.net

Web: www.shelleyjensensteam.com

Posted by Lori Henry

The Tyra Banks Show is at it again. Tyra has created a new project to help women accept their true size, whatever that may be.

She is encouraging women to overcome a body image issue, relationship crises, emotional challenge or “a fashion emergency.”

“It's for women everywhere who've been counted out or kicked down but had the strength to pull themselves back up. Life is what you make of it, not what you're handed.”

The show’s website asks women to send in their “So What!” moments. Billed as a “self-esteem” homework assignment, she is inviting people to celebrate those moments when they “did it.”

Whether it’s overcoming an eating disorder, speaking up for yourself, or telling the dressing room of a retail store that your butt looks good in your jeans, the challenge is to take a risk.

I think this is an amazing campaign and has got many women speaking out about things that they have found shameful for their entire lives.

One show had the audience members in the red bathing suits that Tyra wore on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, adorned with their weight. They wore it proud and it was empowering to watch.

I would never have watched her show if it wasn’t for all of the important issues she’s been tackling. Now, I’m just trying to keep up with them and hope that she continues her crusade to tell women they’re okay exactly the way they are.

Posted by Lori Henry

In an interview with Australian Woman’s Day magazine, Olivia Newton-John’s daughter, 21-year-old Chloe Lattanzi, talks about her struggle with anorexia.

Asked whether her mother saw the signs of her disorder, Chloe responded, “I think that it’s hard for a parent to notice what their child is going through. Maybe sometimes parents don’t want to notice what’s going on. As a parent, you want to think everything is ok.”

In speaking about recovering, she is now taking good care of herself and being honest with those around her. “It hurts my heart when I think how many girls are going through that [an eating disorder], and I’m lucky that I got through it because it’s a fatal thing if you don’t pull through it.”

Most importantly, Olivia Newton-John commented on what parents can do if they find out their child is diagnosed with an eating disorder like anorexia, bulimia, binge eating or compulsive overeating.

“…the parent needs to look at why their child has developed such a detrimental disease. And look at the issues causing the disorder. Listen to your child. Be supportive.

“Eating disorders are usually nothing to do with food. Parents need to be with their child to see them through it. All the therapists in the world can’t help if the parents aren’t present, loving and proactive.”

Well said.

Chloe's new album, Lonely Nights In Paradise, will be released sometime this year.

Posted by Lori Henry

Deborah Kauffman, RD, LDN, provides nutrition counseling to children, adolescents and adults with disordered eating. Her services have been in existence since 1990 and she was previously the Director of Nutrition Services at the Center for Eating Disorders at St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson.

This Wednesday February 28th, 2007, she will be interviewed with Sharon Peterson on the Woman Talk Live radio show in celebration of Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

The show focuses on “woman stuff,” including eating disorders and body image.

You can listen to the show live on Wednesday evening from 6:00-7:00pm, or on the podcasts a week later.

The details for tuning in are:

Live Show: Wednesday Feb. 28th from 6:00-7:00pm

Station: WVIE 1370 AM in Baltimore

Live Webcast: www.v1370.com (Click on the Listen Live button in the upper left hand corner)

Show Replay: The following Saturday from 8:00-9:00am (either on air or webfeed)

Podcast: usually available within one week

More information can be found about Deborah Kauffman at: www.edcbaltimore.org

She will also have a booth at the Women’s Expo from March 11th -12th (www.womensexpomd.com)

Posted by Lori Henry

I wanted to announce that a writer for the top selling “Practical Parenting” magazine in the UK is doing an article on eating disorders and pregnancy. She is seeking people to interview for her piece.

I haven’t done a lot of research into this aspect of disordered eating, but it’s a wonderful opportunity for someone who knows about it to share their knowledge with other women. Specifically, she’s looking for women who have gone through a pregnancy and struggled with an eating disorder to share their experience.

If you or someone you know would be interested in contributing to this important article, please email the writer at:

Catherine Bruton, jonny@bruton99.freeserve.co.uk

The interview would be done either by email or telephone and the article approved by the interviewee before being submitted. Sounds like a fantastic chance to get awareness around this issue.

Posted by Lori Henry

Naomi Campbell has been around the modeling industry for years. It has given her a long and successful career in an industry where only a select few are given that opportunity.

It’s no wonder, then, that she backs the industries position on the recent ban of underweight models on the runways.

She has publicly commented that she doesn’t believe the modeling industry promotes eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia amongst young girls and women.

After accepting her award at the Elle Style Awards in London, she stated: "You can't blame the industry for a psychological disease. It is a disease, like alcohol or drugs, and the industry is not to blame."

She does, though, believe that the new guideline set out by the UK and United States, that models must be over the age of 16 years old to walk down the runway, is something that pleases her.

For coverage on the ban of underweight models, click here.

Posted by Lori Henry

Kate Winslet has long been an advocate for a more positive body image in the entertainment industry. She leads by example by maintaining a healthy weight and solid career.

Recently, though, Grazia claimed that she had visited a Chinese Healing Institute in California for weight loss and treating her neck pain. But she is outraged that such insinuations are being made.

"I'm very upset, it's categorically untrue, it's a complete lie. I don't want people thinking that I would ever go to a diet doctor. I never have done, and I never will,” says Winslet to Newsbeat (BBC Radio 1).

"I will continue to say what I feel about this issue of women being thin and emaciated. It's just out of control.

"I know I am a role model to young women, it's a role I take very very seriously. I would never want anyone to think I was a hypocrite in doing something like going to a diet doctor, for goodness sake. I mean, it's really, really ridiculous."

Posted by Lori Henry

This past year was filled with enough controversy surrounding underweight models than in recent years. Spain, Italy, the United States and the UK have all either banned super thin models outright, or have put specific guidelines into place to discourage underweight girls from working.

But now the models and agents are fighting back. Agencies are threatening to take legal action on the new regulations, citing discrimination.

Alexandra Shulmna, Editor of Vogue and member of the London Fashion Council, says, “We would not be allowed to discriminate in that way. It would be like saying you can't have black or white models. By imposing new rules on models' size, you would be trying to prove whether someone was ill or well.”

Melissa Richardson, director of Take Two modeling agency, adds, “Although being thin is a prerequisite for this kind of work, it's also important that you eat well. Lots of models eat a lot and stay thin. They do not deserve to be pilloried. They have got more litigious.”

Posted by Lori Henry

Many Moore is a 22-year-old singer turned actress, popular amongst the tween set. Since having moved into the film arena, she has had to deal with body image compared to her very thin counterparts.

She comments, "I'm not like a toothpick, and I never will be. I'm just a regular-looking person- and that's okay. It's taken a while to come to grips with that since it's definitely not the norm in my business. But like, who cares?"

"I want to be healthy, but in an industry where you can't wear a sample size because it's like a 0 or a 2, it makes you feel bad about yourself. To go to a photo shoot, it's like, 'Ugh, God, can't you just at least get a regular size, like a 6 or 8 or something?”

Her latest film, Because I Said So, with Diane Keaton, challenged her by appearing in just underwear in a scene.

"I'm super self-conscious. What girl really feels comfortable about being on a gigantic movie screen with her butt there? Everything is in full view, but in the end, I decided just to dive right in and go for it. Why not? I'm embarrassed of it but yeah, it's over."

She is now working on her latest CD, titled Wild Hope, which will be released in May.

Posted by Lori Henry

There have always been 3 categories for eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating. The rest were categorized into EDNOS (Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified).

This study, conducted by McLean Hospital, found that binge eating is more common that the other disorders. The behavior also stays longer with the individual than all of the other disorders.

Research shows that anorexia lasts 1.7 years, but binge eating lasts, on average, 8.1 years. Without treatment, it can lead to obesity and unhealthy weight.

Along with the “title” of now being an official disorder, what it does bring about is more awareness. Hopefully this will mean better treatment and resources for people desperately needing help.

Posted by Lori Henry

The advent of Pro Anorexia websites began over 6 years ago, with sites popping up on the internet encouraging people to choose anorexia as a lifestyle, rather than an illness. The sites are also scarily filled with photos of celebrities and models that the readers idolize and whose bones protrude from their skin.

The text motivates people to starve themselves on the least amount of calories possible in order to be the best anorexic they can be. Tips are offered when you get hungry and “reverse trigger” photos can be found of overweight individuals who they never want to look like.

The first study of its kind on Pro Anorexia sites was published last year in European Eating Disorder Review. One of the researchers, Anna Bardone-Cone, who works with eating disorder clients, realizes that they do provide support for individuals who need so desperately to not feel alone, but “our concern, as people who work with eating disorders and are interested in women’s health, is that in addition to the support, they get stuck in the disorder.”

The debate rages as to whether the sites can be banned, as the Health authorities in Spain have done. Says Pro-Ana Nation, “Some people ask if it is ethically acceptable to allow pro-ana Web sites. “In my opinion, if they start banning pro-ana sites, they may as well censor the pages of the major fashion magazines, with their features on... ‘The latest diets to help you fight the flab.’

“Fashion magazines will often provide advice on exercise and ‘healthy’ eating alongside pictures of genuinely underweight models, many of whom appear on the “thinspiration” sections of pro-ana Web sites. To censor pro-ana sites in the face of this kind of material seems hypocritical, to say the least.”

Continue on to the Pro Ana article by clicking here.

Posted by Lori Henry

Spain is taking yet another step towards making changes in the body image department. After being the first country ban underweight models on runways, she is now changing the way store mannequins look.

Thousands of women between the ages of 12 and 70 are being asked to undergo body scans for mannequins to be re-designed to reflect more women. Some of the countries largest chain stores- Zara, Mango, Bershka and Massimo Dutti- have already signed on to honor this new initiative.

Says Domingo Roibás, a spokesman for the ministry, “The idea is that the mannequins should not falsify reality, that they should be within the range of measurement of Spanish women.”

But mannequin manufacturers are not too happy: “Are we saying that people who are a little bit plumper are becoming anorexic because they see skinny mannequins in the windows?” asked Lars Nielsen of Hindsgaul Mannequins.

“There are so many sources for people to be reminded about the perfect body- I don’t think the mannequins in the window have anything to do with that… What we are manufacturing is just a tool to be used in clothing stores so they can sell more clothes,” he said, “just like shelf fixtures and light fixtures and cash registers. It’s not meant to be a reproduction of the human body.”

Posted by Lori Henry

It was announced at the end of last week that London Fashion Week leaders will not follow Spain and Italy by banning underweight models.

The British Fashion Council has instead released that they will encourage designers and agencies to enforce a healthy body image in their models and that they should only book women over the age of 15.

The official statement from the council members is:

"We have asked designers, model agencies and image makers to respect this responsibility and to use only healthy models for their collections. Additionally, we recommend that only models aged 16 or over are used. We believe that regulation is neither desirable nor enforceable. What will make a difference is the commitment of the fashion industry to change attitudes through behavior and education."

Posted by Lori Henry

After photos of Tyra Banks appeared on a website titled, “Tyra Banks is Fat,” she talks about the media’s obsession with weight and those photos in an upcoming show.

She’ll bring models on, one plus sized, the other extremely thin, and discuss the pressures women face to be thin. She will also address the recent death of Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston, who died late last year from complications of anorexia.

The show will air Thursday February 1st, 2007. Check out http://tyrashow.warnerbros.com for listings in your area.

Read the accompanying article here.

Posted by Lori Henry

The You Are Not Alone Volume 2 will be released this year after the success of its predecessor, You Are Not Alone: The Book Of Companionship For Women Struggling With Eating Disorders.

Along with a book including personal eating disorder recovery stories, inspirational poems and artwork, there will be an accompanying CD with recovery songs.

Andrea Roe and Shannon Cutts are looking for submissions for this ambitious compilation. If you have a story, poem, piece of artwork or song that you would like to submit or have any other questions, please contact Andrea at: andrea@youarenotalonebook.com

You can view the work that Andrea’s doing at: www.eating-disorder-information.com

For more information about Shannon Cutts, check out: www.key-to-life.com

Posted by Lori Henry

Disordered Eating Awareness Week happens every year in February. Jessie’s Hope Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting positive body image, is hosting their annual Youth Poster and Video Campaign.

The project gives youth a chance to express what living a “body positive” life means to them in a creative way. It encourages dialogue within schools and young people to define what a healthy world would look like through their eyes.

It also provides teachers, counselors, youth workers, parents and their communities with a tool to motivate students to speak their voice.

Submissions are accepted during Disordered Eating Awareness Week, February 4-10, 2007. Contact Jessie’s Hope Society’s office for information about acceptable formats and to see the previous year’s winners.

www.jessieshope.org

Posted by Lori Henry

The heat from the media and the public lately towards models and eating disorders has been great. Gisele lashed out last week that it was families who caused anorexia, not runway models and celebrities.

But researchers have bit back with the opinion that her comments are damaging.

"An uninformed opinion such as Bundchen's causes harm on a number of levels. By contributing to the stigma, it drives sufferers underground and creates obstacles to seeking help. It damages attempts at advocacy and hurts parents who are desperately fighting for their child's recovery," said Allan S. Kaplan, M.D.

"Such thinking also misinforms third party payers who may not want to pay for the treatment of these biologically-based illnesses if they think its primary cause is family dysfunction."

Bloggers around the world are also upset that Gisele, who has no authority on eating disorders, has made such a comment that millions of people will be listening to.

Dr. Walter H. Kaye, M.D. says, "We often hear that societal pressures to be thin cause many young women and men to develop an eating disorder. Many individuals in our culture, for a number of reasons, are concerned with their weight and diet. Yet less than half of 1 percent of all women develop anorexia nervosa, which indicates to us that societal pressure alone isn't enough to cause someone to develop this disease."

"Our research has found that genes seem to play a substantial role in determining who is vulnerable to developing an eating disorder. However, the societal pressure isn't irrelevant; it may be the environmental trigger that releases a person's genetic risk. Families should not be blamed for causing anorexia. In fact, they are often devastated and suffer from the consequences of this illness."

Posted by Lori Henry

The Daily Mail published a picture of Keira Knightly in a bikini at the beach. The article that accompanied the photo claimed that she had lied about suffering from an eating disorder.

She is suing on the suggestion that she has lied about being sick and that she is responsible for the recent deaths of models who had suffered from anorexia.

The photo shows her walking out of the water. Although her body is skinny and muscular, this in no way implies that she has an eating disorder. What this ordeal does point out, though, is how quick the public is to blame someone for a much bigger problem.

I usually don’t find myself defending situations such as these, but I think it shows how little people know about anorexia and bulimia. You can’t tell if a person is sick by the size of their body.

I was bulimic for many years and my size didn’t change much at all. Conversely, I know many people who were harassed as children and teenagers because they couldn’t gain weight to save their lives.

Eating disorders are a serious epidemic, but that is no reason to blame celebrities without knowing anything about them. I’m not condoning ALL skinny celebrities, but let’s not waste our time pointing our fingers at them when we could be doing much more meaningful and effective work.

Posted by Lori Henry

Hot on the heels of the hit, Super Size Me, Dawn Porter’s new documentary, Super Skinny Me: The Race to Size Zero, follows her on her quest to lose weight. But she’s not overweight, just an average size 12 gal who wants to show the dangers of starving yourself.

“So many young girls are willing to starve themselves to become a model. This documentary has a very worthy message,” she says.

She goes on diet of 500 calories a day for 2 months, documenting how she reacts. Small portions and a team of nutritionists and psychologists, are on hand to help her deal with the mental consequences of starvation.

“I suffered from extreme depression four or five weeks into it. I could not even face leaving the flat. I had chronic insomnia and felt like a total social reject.”

Her aim is to demonstrate the outcome of going on an extreme diet to attain a perfection that is unhealthy.

”When I started the programme, I was physically in perfect shape. The only reason to lose weight was aesthetic. I knew I wasn’t going to get to a size 0 but I wanted to show what had to be done to maintain that lifestyle.”

Read the article here.

Posted by Lori Henry

The Joy Project is running full steam ahead, now offering support groups to include extended supportive programming (like an intensive outpatient program without the individual therapy and prescribed meal plan).

This extended support program is designed to give people opportunities to socialize in a safe environment, to teach them skills which they can use to help their recovery process along, and to encourage them to reach out to others for social support.

Planned activities include: arts & crafts classes, yoga, kickboxing, and self-defense classes (for those who are medically stable and wish to be physically active in a way that does not focus on burning calories and weight loss), museum trips, movie nights, group dinners followed by group activities, and group opportunities for volunteering at other organizations.

We're also focused on getting the message out that eating disorders come in ALL shapes and sizes, and that the media's portrayal of the 60-lb anorectic is FAR from the norm.

We also differ from many treatment centers in our overall philosophy- we don't focus so much on 'gaining weight' as the main goal in recovery. We like to encourage a balanced and fulfilling life, which INCLUDES healthy eating habits, but also includes being social, having healthy relationships, enjoying fun activities, finding a profession, and ultimately, being the best YOU that you can be.

Their website is: www.joyproject.org

Posted by Lori Henry

The Body Song is a CD for children ages 3-6 years old. Although only 6 minutes in length and geared towards girls, the music is empowering and upbeat. Lyrics include gems like “name without shame,” and “I love my body from my toes to my chin.”

With lyrics aimed at encouraging kids to feel pride, strength and positive thoughts about themselves and others, this is a great way to give confidence to the next generation.

Creators Anita Roberts, the founder of SAFETEEN (www.safeteen.com), partners up with singer Yve Narlock and two young friends.

The CD costs $12 CND and can be ordered by emailing safeteen@telus.net.

Posted by Lori Henry

The Joy Project

Mission StatementThe Joy Project is a non-profit, grassroots organization based on the philosophy of using real-world, workable solutions to end the epidemic of eating disorders. We work towards reducing the rate and severity of eating disorders by supporting and conducting research, education, and support programs. The Joy Project does not seek to replace or discourage traditional or current treatments, but to expand the options for treatment. We seek to make treatment options more accessible to anyone affected and find and implement ways to make treatment more effective. The Joy Project seeks to empower individuals with eating disorders to be active participants in their own recovery.

Support Group

They hold ANAD eating-disorder recovery support group meetings every Monday at 6:30pm.

New members are always welcome

Location: University Lutheran Church of Hope

601 13th Ave SE

Minneapolis, MN 55414-1437

Both people with eating disorders and their loved ones are welcome. You do not need to have been diagnosed with an eating disorder to attend.

For more information, please email joy.project@yahoo.comFor more information on ANAD, check out www.anad.org

Read more about The Joy Project here.

Posted by Lori Henry

The hit US television show, Ugly Betty, stars America Ferrera, playing a young secretary to a publishing mogul. She hired for the sole reason that she seems to be the only woman in New York that the boss won’t try to sleep with.

She’s plain, not skinny, sports glasses and braces, and is not your typical staff member of the hottest fashion magazine in the city.

The actress says to World Entertainment News Network, "To me, Betty is an opportunity to represent a generation of young women who don't recognise themselves on anything they are watching.

"The whole issue of body image and weight exists for everybody in the West. I'm not a model, I'm a normal human being. I have days when I feel like I'm queen of the universe, then others when I feel as though I just want to crawl back into bed because I feel gross."

Posted by Lori Henry

After the fashion world in Spain was banned underweight models from walking down the runway, health authorities are now cracking down on pro- anorexia web sites. One in particular is gaining attention.

The Great Ana Competition is a site that awards a diploma to the participants who eat the least amount of calories during a 2-week span. The scoring system they use is one that Doctors consider malnutrition.

The officials have stated the site is a “serious health risk for young people” and has warned of the mortality rate of those who follow such a diet. The government in Spain has put forth to a judge whether the site owners are criminally liable for the content.

For coverage on the ban of underweight models, click here.

Posted by Lori Henry

Jamie-Lynn Sigler is the star of TV show The Sorpanos and is also the spokesperson for the National Eating Disorders Association. She struggled with an eating disorder during the beginning part of the filming of the show.

This year she has decided to go all the way, appearing completely nude on screen. Although she admits she might have to down a shot of alcohol first, she has matured and has changed her opinion on nude scenes, which was previously a decided “no.”

She states, "When I was 21, I would have said, 'Absolutely not, no way.' But now I'm 25. I'm learning so much about myself every day... I'd probably be a nervous wreck beforehand and have to have two glasses of wine, but who knows? If it was appropriate and necessary, why not?"

Posted by Lori Henry

Beauty magazine was a youth publication distributed to high schools, dance centers, youth groups and other locations in Canada. I was the publisher of this resource and was extremely disappointed when publication had to stop due to lack of funding.

Many readers have requested that I sell back issues in order for them to own a complete set of these collector items. I have made them available and they are for sale as of today!

You can view images of the magazine’s covers by clicking here.

Orders are made via Paypal using the email money request option. I will send you an invoice if you include:

- how many sets you want (5 issues each)

- your name, email address, and shipping address

Send an email to me at: eatingdisorders @ suite101.com.

Pricing is below:

Beauty magazine's back issue collectors items are now being sold in complete sets (5 issues). They go for $10.00 USD each set (incl. tax).

Shipping Prices: within Canada- add $4.00, in the United States- add $6.00, outside of North America- add $10.00

Thanks for supporting this amazing project!

Posted by Lori Henry

A new study by Université de Montreal neuroscientist, Stephanie Fulton, was released last week in Neuron, a scientific journal. Her study was done on obese mice and focused on the relationship between binging and other addictions.

“There’s something going on that’s hard to control,” says Stephanie.

“Even though we’re full, even though all the signals are there, the fact is that our habits override our metabolic needs.”

The full article on this study can be found by clicking here.

Posted by Lori Henry

The Council of Fashion Designers of America in Manhattan has issued model restrictions for the industry in the United States. Following the recent bans on underweight models in Madrid and Milan, the USA fashion industry has gotten together for a meeting to decide whether to follow suit.

The president of the council, Diane von Furstenberg, was quoted as saying, “It is important as a fashion industry to show our interest and see what we can do because we are in a business of image. But I feel like we should promote health as a part of beauty rather than setting rules.”

They’ve decided to issue guidelines for designers that promote a healthier atmosphere. They will allegedly include scheduling fittings with young models during the day to promote getting a better night’s sleep; advising designers to identify models with eating disorders, rather than ignoring their behavior; and providing healthier food backstage during shows, which can currently run the gamut of only cigarettes and Champagne.

These recommendations are paltry compared to the strict enforcement the other 2 countries’ have been and is sure to spark more controversy among critics. These guidelines will likely go into effect for the fashion season that begins in New York on February 2nd.

As Patrick O’Connell, a spokesman for Vogue Editor’s Anna Wintour, says, “The feeling is that it is not realistic to dictate or impose rules on a huge fashion industry. However, we do believe raising awareness and consciousness will go the furthest toward increasing people’s sensitivities to the problem.”

For a list of all coverage, click here.

Posted by Lori Henry

Weight loss pills are advertised all over the internet, as well as on TV, the radio, in print and anywhere else were people will look. The industry is huge and seems to be growing everyday.

The Federal Trade Commission said on Thursday that it was fining diet pill marketers, though, as they falsely advertise many things. The 4 companies being sued are Xenadrine EFX, CortiSlim, One-A-Day WeightSmart and TrimSpa.

Unfortunately, the drugs will still be allowed to stay on the shelves.

"It is resolution time again, isn't it?" said Deborah Platt Majoras, chairman to the Federal Trade Commission. "We're implementing our resolution to fight back against companies that use deceptive advertising claims."

The biggest problem is celebrities endorsing products, which makes them popular without any further research.

"Testimonials from individuals are not a substitute for science," Majoras said. "And that's what Americans need to understand."

The amount of the collective fines is $25 million USD.

Posted by Lori Henry

Researchers in New York have finished a study on Binge Eating Disorder that states it has a longer life than anorexia or bulimia.

"There has been a long-standing question as to whether binge-eating disorder is a genuine disorder, in and of itself, or simply a non-specific pattern of eating," says Dr Harrison G Pope, Jr, told Reuters Health.

The study brought in 131 adults with binge eating disorder, 18 with anorexia and 17 with bulimia. The average duration of the disorder was 14.4 years, whereas bulimia is 5.8 and anorexia 5.9 years.

"Our study suggests that binge eating disorder is quite chronic and stable, which favors the possibility that binge eating disorder is an actual psychiatric disorder, rather than simply a non-specific pattern of eating," Pope said.

This will help the professional field consider binge eating disorder as one that needs as much care as the others and, hopefully, will require more treatment options to be created.

Posted by Lori Henry

About.com has launched a new section on their vast resource: Eating Disorders. Matthew Tiemeyer delves into issues surrounding disordered eating and offers readers solid information about topics they want to read about.

Keep healthy by checking back on new articles that offer both facts and support. The coverage is already wide and varied, providing an in-depth look at the important issues surrounding eating disorders.

Take a look around and leave him your comments. This is a great resource for those needing well-researched and timely articles.

Click here to visit his site.

Another great resource is Joanna Poppink's Site: www.poppink.com, which provides a wide range of information about eating disorders.

Posted by Lori Henry

With all of the attention recently on the banning of super thin models in Spain and Italy, as well as the deaths of Ana Carolina Reston and Luisel Ramos, both young models, the questions is a popular one.

I conducted a poll on the subject and the results are in!

Question: Do you think the recent deaths of 2 models from anorexia will change anything in the industry?

Answers:

27.69% said “Not Really”

24.6% said “Yes, I think people will take more notice”

23.1% said “No, it’s hard to make changes to such a large industry”

18.46% said “No way, things will never change”

6.15% said “Yes, it will get more shapely models on the runway