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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A study of U.S. high school students provides additional evidence that eating disorders may be contagious.  Read the article.
Share your opinion! Do you believe eating disorders may be socially contagious? Vote here!

Kirsten's Haglund’s triumphant walk across the stage was just the beginning of a journey that will take her to every corner of the country during her year of service as Miss America 2008

She will travel approximately 20,000 miles each month speaking to audiences about her platform of Raising Awareness of Eating Disorders and acting as the official National Goodwill Ambassador for Children's Miracle Network. Children's Miracle Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children's hospitals, is the national platform partner of the Miss America Organization.

Recently Kirsten graciously took some time from her busy schedule to talk to Keith Sanderson, ANAD Director of Communication about raising awareness of eating disorders among parents.  

Keith :   Kirsten,   ANAD applauds your courage to speak publicly as Miss America and raise awareness of eating disorders. We also congratulate the Miss America organization for their decision to support this effort.  Your voice will help raise awareness of anorexia nervosa and associated disorders among parents, young people, teachers, legislators, and even among health professionals.

Kirsten: I am so glad that I can do my part to help influence change. This is an exciting time for those who are involved in the fight against eating disorders. 

Keith: Why is that?

See Kirsten's answer and the rest of the first part of the interview.

In his award winning documentary film, Daryl Roberts examines the real costs of our obsession with youth, beauty and a slender physique.  The costs of American’s obsession with youth, beauty and a slender physique are tallied in an epidemic of eating disorders including anorexia nervosa which is the leading cause of death related to mental illness.

ANAD urges any who are concerned about eating disorders and their physical, mental, emotional and monetary costs on individuals and their friends and families to see this important movie.

Do you believe photos affect the perception you have of your body image?

What about the effect of photo-labeling on body image self-perception?

Take a few minutes and link to photo labeling  and take the survey. 

Vivian Hanson Meehan, ANAD founder and Board President, applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for approving the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, H.R. 1424, on March 5th.  See ANAD APPLAUDS.

The Illinois eating disorders mental health parity bill, HB 1432, passed the Illinois House Health Care Availability and Access Committee by an overwhelming majority on February 20, 2008. To learn more, see ANAD leads victory.

Illinois Residents Tell Us Your Story: Please tell us if you have been denied mental health coverage/treatment by your Illinois employer’s group health plan for an eating disorder and how the denial has affected you or your family. My story

Alert! Please click here if your health plan in Michigan has denied you coverage for eating disorder treatment.

The following facilities listed below are ANAD sponsors. If you or someone you know is looking for a patient treatment center, we invite you to click on our sponsors' logos and learn more about the services they provide.

At Timberline Knolls we believe every woman has the potential to be the best she can be, even if she's been affected by an eating disorder, addiction, or destructive behavior.

Remuda Ranch provides intensive inpatient and residential programs for women and girls suffering from Anorexia, Bulimia, and other Eating Disorders. Our Christian programs offer Hope and Healing to patients of all faiths.

For more than 700 years, the Alexian Brothers have cared for the sick, the aged, the poor and the dying. Because we are a Catholic religious community, we take our inspiration from those basic Judeo-Christian beliefs which inspired our founders and still govern our lives and ministry. From the opening of our first Chicago hospital in 1866, to our present and our future at Alexian Brothers Medical Center, we have cherished but one goal: to promote the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of all who come to us.

Linden Oaks at Edward. We all have a pretty good idea when we need to see a doctor or go to the emergency room for our physical health. When it comes to our mental health, sometimes it just doesn't seem as clear.  It's estimated about half of all Americans will experience a behavioral health disorder. And anyone can be affected.  That's why here at Linden Oaks, we take care of children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. In fact, you won't find a bigger facility with more qualified people to help you anywhere in the area. 

A Future of Hope

2007 is Rogers Memorial's 100th year as a nonprofit, freestanding mental health hospital. Each year Rogers Memorial provides nearly 6,000 children, adolescents, adults and older adults with individualized, evidence-based treatment for mental health concerns and chemical dependency, as well as research and training for healthcare professionals.

Contact ANAD for help, support, or more information about eating disorders at:

P.O. Box 7 Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: 847-831-3438.

ANAD and the contents of this website copyright 2007 by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders