Treatment Notes by Sari Fine Shepphird

Binge Eating in College Students

Due to technical difficulties, I am currently unable to post my follow-up Blog about assessment of body image disturbance. In the interim, I offer you this from the Canadian Press about the increase of binge eating in college students...

Assessment of Eating Disorders

A number of fine instruments are available to help healthcare professionals assess for eating disorders. Structured instruments, self-report measures, medical, and nutrition assessments offer support for the tasks of diagnosing and treating these illnesses. Professionals from various disciplines (i.e., medicine, psychology, psychotherapy, nutrition) will find utility in the broad variety of available assessment materials.

The type of instrument selected for use will depend on the training and background of the healthcare professional, as well as the goal for assessment. Do you need help with accurate diagnosis? Are you attempting to formulate a treatment plan? Is healthy nutrition your primary goal?

Eating Disorders and Social Influence

Several recent studies have highlighted a "social Influence" variable as a risk factor for eating disordered behavior. Does this mean that eating disorders are contagious?

Do "Thinking People" Eat Too Much?

Late last week, on Thursday, September 4, 2008, The Université Laval in Quebec City ("the oldest centre of education in Canada") issued the following announcement:

"Thinking People Eat Too Much: Intellectual Work Found To Induce Excessive Calorie Intake"

Are Feminists More Open-Minded about Weight?

In light of this year's groundbreaking election cycle, vis-a-vis Senator Hillary Clinton and Governor Sarah Palin, allow me this indulgence on the association between feminism and attitudes about weight...

Muscle Dysmorphia and Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Former body builder, Christopher Bell, had a unique, insiders look at the use and abuse of anabolic steroids. You see, both of his brothers are also body builders, one is a champion, and the other became tried his luck on the pro-wrestling circuit.

For Bell, the use of steroids was not something that he could condone, but his brothers both felt otherwise. In an attempt to understand the reasoning behind his brothers' choice, Bell embarked on the task of making a documentary about the use of performance-enhancing drugs "and their effects on the American dream". The result: "Bigger, Stronger, Faster"; released in U.S. theaters on May 30, 2008 by Magnolia Pictures.

As the film's director, Bell attempts to explore some of the medical claims about the dangers of anabolic steroid use, the ultra-competitive world of professional sports, and the American culture's obsession with fit, muscular male images. Among other concerns, Bell includes a critical look at the role of male images in advertising, unveiling the methods of airbrushing and enhancement that can make any man look 30 pounds thinner and 40 pounds more muscular. However, Bell neglects a very important consideration and fails to in any way address an increasingly prevalent condition that may very well be at the heart of a majority of cases of abuse of performance-enhancing drugs: muscle dysmorphia (MD).