Eating Disorder testimonies and treatment event Feb. 25 at LHA

By Linda RichardsFebruary 19, 2014

Nutritional Guidance
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- A former service member, two clinical professionals, and the spouse of a loved one with an eating disorder, are slated to share knowledge and perspective on eating disorders at Lincoln Hall Auditorium Feb. 25 from noon to 1 p.m.

Treatment options and nutritional guidance will also be covered and a question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.

Presenters with first and second-hand knowledge of eating disorders include one retired service member with a history of Binge Eating Disorder, and one active duty service member who experienced Anorexia Nervosa through the eyes of his spouse.

Clinical Presenters include Linda Richards, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, and a representative from the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital Nutrition Education Division.

The event is part of a collective effort of volunteers, including students, educators, social workers, organizations, individuals, eating disorder professionals, and health care providers during the 2014 National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, held Feb. 23 to March 1, 2014.

The focus of those committed to raise awareness of eating disorders is intended to counter this year?'s NEDAwareness week theme, "I Had No Idea."

Specific awareness topics include the impact that eating disorders and body image issues have on individuals, families and communities across the nation, while reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders and improving access to treatment resources.

Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses - not choices - and it's important to recognize the pressures, attitudes and behaviors that shape them.

The more people who learn about these life-threatening illnesses, the more lives we can save.

General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital health care teams are actively engaged with our patients. We are committed to providing well-coordinated care that promotes and optimizes health.

A study published in the Eating Disorder Journal in 2008 indicated that eating disorders doubled from 1998 to 2006.

Another study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2009 indicated that women may be at higher risk if experiencing deployment stress.

A number of studies have indicated that eating disorders are a prevalent concern with our country?'s military population, which makes NEDAwareness week even more important here at Fort Leonard Wood.

These studies will be explored further during this NEDAwareness week presenatation, which is hosted by the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital Behavioral Health Service Line.

(Editor?'s note: Linda Richards is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital)