Late last
year my professional organization the Academy of Eating Disorders (AED) joined
other eating disorder organizations in issuing a joint statement about the
wisdom of promoting health and leaving weight control to nature. Focusing
on weight creates weight-prejudice, negative self-esteem, body dissatisfaction,
and eating disordered behaviors.
I find these words from the resulting press release
wise and wish to pass them on to our readers:
"There is concern that we have lost sight of
the importance of avoiding harm in the process of addressing obesity. Further,
we cannot ignore the opportunity to create a healthier environment, where
people of all sizes are given the opportunity to lead healthy and productive
lives, instead of singling out individual groups for reform based on weight
alone. It is our hope that professional
and community societies can join hands in fighting for healthier lifestyles and
increased respect for people of all sizes, thus simultaneously promoting all
aspects of health (i.e., physical, social, and emotional) within our
communities."
Marcia
Marcia
Herrin and Nancy Matsumoto, co-authors The
Parent’s Guide to Eating Disorders, Gūrze Books, (www.childhoodeatingdisorders.com).
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