It's no secret that models are often so thin that they are unhealthy and often develop eating disorders as a result of the pressure on them from the modeling industry.  This in turn, perpetuates society's belief that thin is beautiful and promotes unhealthy beliefs and behaviors in the general public.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America began a Health Initiative in 2007 to address these concerns within the fashion industry.  This week they updated their guidelines to focus on making sure that models who are walking in runway shows are at least 16 and have encouraged designers not to keep models who are under 18 past midnight.  They have also included recommendations to educate and develop workshops for industry professionals (including models, agents, editors and designers) on how to identify eating disorders early and what treatment entails.  Their recommendation also includes language that encourages designers not to employ models with an eating disorder, without their treatment team's approval.

I, for one, am pleased to see the fashion industry taking a stand against eating disorders.  Do you think that these recommendations will be followed through with by the industry?  Do you think these recommendations are enough?

The University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital released a report this week that raises serious questions about the helpfulness of school-based programs aimed at obesity prevention.  The hospital polled 976 households with children ranging  in age from 6-14.  Of those who completed the survey, 82% reported that there was some type of prevention program being implemented in their child's school and 30% of those parents whose children are in a school with a prevention program reported that they had observed 'worrisome eating behaviors' in their children.

Most of the worrisome eating behaviors covered in the survey were found to have no association with the obesity prevention program.  However, a correlation was found between parents who believe their children exercise too much and exercise incentive programs.

Additionally, 7% of the parents reported that their children had been made to feel bad about what or how much they are eating.

While there are certainly limitations to these findings (a relatively small sample size and little is included in the report about exactly what types of programs these children are in), this survey does raise important questions about the efficacy of obesity prevention programs and whether or not they may actually be promoting unhealthy behaviors.  It also underscores the importance of researching these programs and the importance of parental involvement so that any worrisome behaviors or symptoms of eating disorders can be addressed early.

If you are a parent or student, have you noticed negative effects from obesity prevention programs?

_Source:

_{C.S. Mott Children Hospital National Poll on Children's Health.  School Obesity Programs May Promote Worrisome Eating Behaviors and Physical Activity in Kids.}

I've been working today on cleaning up and reorganizing the About.com Eating Disorders forum as I know that it has gone without a moderator for sometime now. Please check it out and join the conversation about eating disorders and related topics.  There are now folders for specific disorders, general discussion, support and encouragement as well as one specific folder for family and friends.

I would love for this to evolve into a supportive environment for you to connect with others who are going through similar struggles.  As such, please keep in mind that other sufferers will be reading your posts. Avoid using specific descriptions of eating disorder behaviors and avoid posting triggering numbers such as sizes, weights, calories etc. These types of posts are unhelpful and can actually be harmful to a person's recovery. Any post that is deemed inappropriate will be deleted.

Feel free to let me know if there is a topic that should be featured in its own folder! I look forward to lively discussions and support.

I ran across this article from the Huffington Post today, in which a seven-year old girl tells her mother that she thinks she is fat and that she wants to be skinny.  It takes every ounce of her mother's energy and thoughtfulness to break through to her, at least for that moment in time.  I am at once, both amazed at this mother's creativity and strength, and saddened by the sad reality that no one is immune to society's pressure to live up to the 'thin ideal.'

Building self-esteem and a positive body image in young girls seems to be so difficult sometimes.  How would you respond to your daughter in this situation?