For information or to register for the walk, click here.

View this Dove video and see a real example demonstrating how our perception of beauty is distorted.  Unfortunately too many young women struggle with negative body image.  Learn what you can do to help.

Dr. Shapiro's research receives press regarding: Technology for weight management.

The National Eating Disorders Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders.  Community members are currently organizing walks across the country to help increase eating disorder awareness and support NEDA in a fun way.  Upcoming walks include:

• Charlottesville, VA: September 26, 2009 - COMPLETE!
• Mental Health Associations of Rockland and Orange Counties NEDA Walk: October 3, 2009 - COMPLETE!
• New York City Walk (Riverside Park): October 11, 2009
• Grand Rapids, MI: October 24, 2009
• San Francisco Walk (Golden Gate Park): October 25, 2009
• East Stroudsburg, PA Walk: November 1, 2009

Locate the walk nearest you by selecting "Get Started" above! Join a team or start your own fundraising team to help expand NEDA's reach with your friends & family.  If you are unable to participate in the walk, you can still support NEDA by contributing a secure donation from this homepage.  For more information, please visit www.myneda.org.

Alanis Morissette is running for NEDA!

Alanis will be participating in the Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon as part of her new health regime on October 11, 2009. Give to her fundraising page by typing her name in the "Want to donate?" box to the right. All proceeds will go to the National Eating Disorders Association.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Participate in the 3rd Annual SeaWorld Shamu and You Family Walk. 

Now you can make a real difference in the life of a critically ill child - and have a whale of a time, too!

The 3rd Annual SeaWorld Shamu & You Family Walk is a great way to help support the life-saving efforts at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego - and enjoy a fun morning at Mission Bay with your family and friends.

Research shows that restrained eaters (or people that are chronically but unsuccessfully on a diet) eat more when under stress than when not under stress. There are several theories as to why certain women in particular may crave certain foods when under stress.Researchers are still investigating what is behind the stress and eating phenomenon. This is a complex relationship that must take into account both biological and psychological factors. 

Biological explanations suggest that certain hormones (e.g. corticotrophin-releasing hormone found in our hypothalamus) are altered during stress, which may result in changes in eating behavior.  Restrained eaters also have higher levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.  Similarly, abnormal levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin are related to anxiety. Low levels of serotonin have been shown to result in increased eating. This increased eating may increase the level of serotonin, which may ultimately improve mood and anxiety. 

On a psychological note, restrained eaters regularly monitor their eating behavior and try to avoid eating high fat/high caloric foods. Therefore, when they experience the physical and psychological symptoms of stress, they may turn their attention to the stressful event and stop focusing on themselves and their eating behavior.  Restrained eaters may have learned that eating “forbidden high calorie foods” may help them feel better during times of stress. Not only is eating a socially acceptable form of both comforting and distracting oneself from stress but it is often easier to feel stressed about overeating as opposed to feel stressed about other life events.  This may explain why some people resort to food when they are feeling overwhelmed.

TIPS for the Stressed Eater:

* If you’re stressed try doing something relaxing but also healthy such as taking a bath, going for a walk, calling a friend, reading a book, listening to music, deep breathing, or engaging in a hobby.

* Think about the source of your stress and the negative things that you are telling yourself. This negative self-talk is not going to help your situation. There are several types of self-help books to help you overcome stress. Look for a cognitive-behavioral therapy based book such as Feeling Good by David Burns. 

* Make an appointment with a psychologist to help you identify and cope with sources of stress and also learn to break the stress eating cycle.

For a link to this article published on ezinearticles.com, click here.

This article is published on www.ezinearticles.com.  Click here to read the article on the ez website.

The prevalence of overweight children has tripled between 1985 and 2000 and has reached epidemic proportions, with approximately 16% of children currently classified as overweight.  A child is considered overweight if his/her body mass index (BMI; [wt (kg)/ ht (m)2]) falls between the 85th and 95th percentile for his/her gender and age. A child would be considered obese if his or her BMI for age is > 95th percentile.

About 50% of overweight children become obese adults. Children are not aware of the long-term health risks associated with being overweight. For example, paralleling the increase in the numbers of children classified as overweight, there has been a drastic increase in childhood type II diabetes. In addition, a variety of other physical complications (e.g., orthopedic concerns, high blood pressure, sleep apnea) and psychological problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, loneliness, low self-esteem) are often associated with being overweight.

There are several reasons for the dramatic increase in the prevalence of overweight children. First, the environment has played a major role. Children are exposed to a variety of easily accessible and affordable fast food options in the community, vending machines stocked with sugar-sweetened beverages at school, and high-calorie snacks at home. Clearly, changes need to be made in all of these settings.

Second, advertising has also played a major role. Dr. Kelly Brownell, director of the Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders, noted that the US government nutrition education program (“5 a Day”) was given $3 million for promotion, while the fast food industry spends 1000 times that in advertisements geared towards children. Accordingly, Brownell stated that Ronald McDonald is the second most recognized figure in the world, just after Santa Claus!

Third, portion sizes have increased considerably. For instance, soda used to be sold in 6 oz. containers. The standard size is now 20 oz! Every day children get 11% of their calories from soft drinks, which is about 15 teaspoons of sugar per day!  Our society is filled with buffets, big gulps, and super-sized portions. 

Fourth, eating patterns have changed. People now eat more meals outside the home, consume fewer fruits and vegetables, and make more hi-fat choices. 

Fifth, activity levels have decreased. Twenty years ago, children engaged in several bouts of physical activity per day. Now, many schools have removed physical education from the curriculum and children are replacing after-school physical activity with television, computers, and video games.

Preventing and Treating Childhood Overweight. Behavior modification programs are effective at addressing a variety of problematic behaviors, but they are nevertheless challenging.  Fortunately, it is easier to change a child’s behavior than that of an adult. Family-based interventions aimed at targeting specific behaviors (e.g., television viewing, physical activity, diet, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages) are most promising. Below are some ways that you can help your family increase their healthy behaviors:

• Make family time an active time. The summer is coming – go for walks, ride a bike, take a swim. Reduce television and video game time. Instead of sitting on the couch, try walking around a museum, garden, or mall.
• Use physical activity as a reward for good behavior.  But, don’t take it away as a means of punishment (e.g., “no playing outside today”). The end result would be more sedentary behavior for your child.
• Plan and prepare healthy meals together as a family. Start eating breakfast to provide the fuel you need for the day. Research shows that kids who eat breakfast miss fewer school days, are late less often, do better in school, and are more alert.
• Make healthier choices. Choose whole grains, various fruits and vegetables, skim or 1% milk, lean meats, and select healthier cooking options (e.g., baking, broiling). Snacks are important for a healthy diet. Try to select low-fat, reduced sugar, and reduced salt snacks.
• Drink more water. Try adding different fruits to the water to give it a fruity, summery taste. Be careful with juice drinks; many do not have real fruit juice and are actually high in sugar. Select one that says “100% juice.”
• Be a role model and practice what you preach. Make sure that your portion sizes aren’t “super-sized,” that you choose water and healthy food options, and that you do not take the sedentary way out.

Welcome to my blog.  Please check back soon for updates. ~Dr. JS