Wednesday's Woman: Everybody Knows Somebody

(photo credit)

In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Millions more are struggling with binge eating disorder  (Crowther et al., 1992; Fairburn et al., 1993; Gordon, 1990; Hoek, 1995; Shisslak et al., 1995).

It is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.  The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) designates this week to bringing to light the complexities and realities of eating disorders.  The mission:

. . .prevent eating disorders and body image issues while reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders and improving access to treatment. Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses - not choices - and it's important to recognize the pressures, attitudes and behaviors that shape the disorder.

This year’s theme is "Everybody Knows Somebody” which is a fitting premise.  We all know somebody who we can tell that it is NEDAwareness Week.  And, we all, most likely, know someone who is suffering with an eating disorder.

I encourage you to take time to go through the NEDA website.  It provides an extensive and comprehensive compilation of researched information and support tools written in accessible language.  Some of the facts about eating disorders may surprise you.  And I cannot express emphatically enough how valuable the support tools are.

The President and CEO of NEDA, Lynn S. Grefe, has an incredibly impressive background of advocacy work not only with NEDA, but also with organizations in government and private sectors associated with women’s health, mental health and policy issues.  When I think advocate, I think Lynn Grefe. The amount of work she has done, and continues to do in dedication to others is remarkable.  Please read more about her at PBS, This Emotional Life.  You'll find she is not only an advocate, but also was a Girl Scout leader, a soccer coach and a town coordinator.

For her tireless work advocating for people and families affected by eating disorders,

Wednesday's Woman is

Lynn S. Grefe 

• Many who suffer with eating disorders are also victims of child sexual abuse. Please read about past Wednesday's Woman, Jill Starishevsky, a fearless advocate for child victims of sexual abuse and author of My Body Belongs to Me.

• The Floor Is Yours! Wednesday's Woman is a weekly feature dedicated to raising awareness of the wonderful women who are role models for our daughters and the world.  If you know of someone to be featured and would like to write about her, let me know.  I would love to have you guest post for Wednesday's Woman.