Compulsive Eating Disorders: Hillsborough County Responds
Karen M. Perrin, Public Health and Catherine J. Batsche, Louis de la Parte FMHI, working with the Ophelia Project and the Tampa YMCA.
Description:
Media Messages bombard viewers with information about childhood obesity and the need for increased awareness among adults about a child's potential risk of developing a compulsive eating disorder. A compulsive eating disorder is a repetitive behavior that involves overeating, starvation or both. A person with a compulsive eating disorder may experience problems like negative behavior toward food and weight, poor body image, and poor weight management. Different types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, obesity, and binge eating. The goals of this study are to develop: 1) an educational training program with practical recommendations to increase the sensitivity of adults working with athletes to focus on improving self-esteem, minimizing importance of weight control, and provide and education for proper weight and nutrition control by using research; 2) an online Tampa Bay Compulsive Eating Resource Guide website hosted by the Ophelia Project and Tampa YMCA which can be used by any adult who may suspect that a child may have or be at-risk of having a compulsive eating disorder.
Contact Person: Karen (Kay) M. Perrin
Funding for Academic Year: 2004-05