Archive for May, 2008

Eating Disorder Epidemic: We Want to be FREED.

There’s been a lot of international news about eating disorders. From the French moving toward legislation to prosecute any promotion of extreme thinness, to former British deputy prime minister, John Prescott, coming forward about his past struggles with bulimia. And now, The Eating Disorders Coalition and Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) are working on The FREED ACT, a Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders, the first piece of comprehensive Eating Disorders legislation in U.S. history.

The FREED Act will serve to address eating disorders through research, treatment, education and prevention. Among a number of action items, the FREED Act is structured to determine the prevalence of eating disorders within today’s society. Additionally, it will work to determine mortality rates associated with all eating disorders and provide a public report of this data annually. In an effort to increase training opportunities for research, fund research programs, and coordinate the development of a research infrastructure nationwide, centers will be established through an integrated system. The bill will also aim to educate health and higher education professionals and will serve to inform society about eating disorders through Public Service Announcements.

We applaud the actions of Rep. Kennedy and the Eating Disorders Coalition in bringing eating disorders to the attention of our national leadership through the FREED Act. The FREED Act will enable countless individuals to receive early diagnosis and treatment to bring greater chances for survival and complete recovery. Now, we like the sound of that.

More information about the FREED Act and what you can do to support it can be found at www.eatingdisorderscoalition.org.

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Published by CED Editor
May 30th, 2008 in Editor's Picks, Body Image
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Dr. Brandt & Dr. Crawford Publish Research Articles in May Issue of International Journal of Eating Disorders

The International Journal of Eating Disorders May issue features two articles that highlight findings from the recent multi-site Anorexia Nervosa study, of which the Center for Eating Disorders was one of the sites participating. 

The research sought to identify genetic variants and personality features that are linked to an increased risk for developing Anorexia Nervosa, attempting to answer the question, “What in our genetic background makes us predisposed to an eating disorder?”

This article highlights that binge eating and purging behavior in Anorexia Nervosa increases the likelihood of additional problems such as depression, alcohol and/or drug abuse and obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

The second article examined the influence of overanxious disorder on Anorexia Nervosa. It investigated childhood anxiety and its relationship to the onset of Anorexia. The research also explored attitudes and personality traits associated with eating disorders.

While prior research did not demonstrate a consistent relationship between anxiety disorders and increased severity of eating disorder symptoms, the findings from the genetic study did highlight a strong correlation between Overanxious Disorder of Childhood and more extreme eating disorder behaviors. 

Drs. Brandt and Crawford are pleased that the Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt has contributed to such important research. It is believed that the findings from these studies will lay the groundwork for improving early identification of at risk individuals and available treatment options.

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Published by CED Editor
May 23rd, 2008 in Editor's Picks
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