The New Beginnings Counseling Center offers a unique presentation on becoming aware of eating disorders and overcoming them in honor of National Eating Disorders Awareness week starting on Feb. 22.
The presentation is called “From Despair to Hope: Food, Weight, and Body Image,” featuring a free screening of the film, “The Breadbasket,” directed and written by Matthew Biancaniello. It will discuss several basic how-to of subjects such as maintaining a healthy weight without dieting, being comfortable in your own body and helping with those struggling with weight and eating issues.
The numbers of people affected by eating disorders are rising. Today, there are seven million women and one million men with eating disorders. These are epidemic levels in America according to the NEDA website. And also on the NEDA website you can find the statistics which show that typically 86 percent of victims have the onset of the disorder by the age of 20, and 43 percent having it between the ages of 16 through 20.
“The key cause of eating disorders can be found in today’s culture,” said Susan Richter, one of the key organizers of the event. “We live in a culture that is obsessed with appearance. Other factors are hereditary factors, life stresses or even genetic causes.”
The event will also as previously mentioned host a free screening of the movie “The Breadbasket.” The film is expected to have an impact.
“It’s a short 20 minute film, but very powerful,” said Sarah Flores, another key organizer of the event.
Flores also spoke of the expected discussion and of having a participation based and interactive audience.
Eating disorders are very serious and not something to be overlooked. Among the negative effects of eating disorders include malnutrition, dehydration, ruptured stomach, and serious heart, kidney, and liver damage. Eating disorders also impact peoples’ social lives. They can cause mood swings, guilt and effect the relationship of loved ones.
On trying to tell if one has an eating disorder, Richter said to look for how one feels about their own self-image.
“If people are worried about their weight, notice they are thinking about dieting, not happy about the way they look they may have an eating disorder,” said Richter.
Richter urges those that believe they have an eating disorder to get help immediately.
“Try to get information and support right away,” said Richter. “Because if we just keep trying what we’re taught in the culture about dieting-dieting does not work because it damages the metabolism. It becomes a vicious cycle.”
For more information on the presentation, contact Sarah Nicholson Flores at 805 551-9165, [email protected] or Chris Domsasin, MS, MFT Intern 805 906-1975 Also there are Free ANAD support screenings at the New Beginnings Counseling Center at 155 Granada St, Ste.N, Camarillo, CA 93010.
