| This Families
in Focus two-part special takes an in-depth look at eating
disorders as they affect both individuals and their families.
In the first part of the two-part special we will cover
overcoming stigmas, definitions of types of eating disorders,
incidence among sexes and age groups, the importance of
early intervention, and genetic links.
The second part takes an in-depth look at eating disorders
as they affect both individuals and their families. In this
second half, we will look at the family’s role in
the recovery process; tips for talking with a friend or
loved one about an eating disorder; the media, body image,
and eating disorders; treatment options; and insurance coverage.
Eating disorders are serious illnesses with a biological
basis modified and influenced by emotional and cultural
factors. Nearly 10 million females and 1 million males are
fighting a life-and-death battle with an eating disorder
such as anorexia or bulimia. Approximately 25 million more
struggle with binge eating disorder. Due to a lack of education
and the silent, behind-closed-doors nature of the illness,
family members, friends and many medical/therapeutic professionals
fail to recognize the signs of an eating disorder and/or
the full extent of the risks involved. Of those diagnosed
with long-term anorexia, 20% will ultimately die as a direct
result of their eating disorder. According to the National
Institutes of Health, the mortality rate among people with
anorexia has been estimated at about 12 times higher than
the annual death rate due to all causes of death among females
ages 15-24 in the general population. While emphasizing
the seriousness of eating disorders, our objective in producing
this program will be to let people know that help is available
and recovery is possible.
Tape Piece - Produced by Joanna Caplan,
the program begins with a mini-documentary profiling Lindsey
Belfatto who is in recovery from her eating disorder. She
started restricting her food which lead to anorexia and
binging and purging. We also talked with her parents Deb
and Joe Belfatto and her nutrition therapist Hynn Nguyen
Le. Lindsey's parents felt so strongly about the need to
educate the public about the eating disorders they helped
to underwrite this program.
Jenni Schaefer |
Lynn Grefe
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Carol Salas
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Dr. Elizabeth Frenkel
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Dr. Charles Murkofsky
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Guests
Jenni Schaefer – An eating disorders survivor
and author of “Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared
Independence From Her Eating Disorder and How You Can To.”
Lynn Grefe – CEO of the National
Eating Disorders Association.
Carol Salas - A registered dietician in
private practice whose clients include those with eating disorders.
Dr. Elizabeth Frenkel – A clinical
psychologist and the Assistant Program Director of the Eating Disorders program at the
University Medical Center at Princeton.
Dr. Charles Murkofsky – A psychiatrist
and eating disorders specialist who is a member of the faculty at the Mount Sinai
School of Medicine.
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