For Immediate Release
September 23, 2008
National Eating Disorders Assn. Issues Strategies for Schools to Identify, Assist Students with Eating Disorders
For Immediate Release Media Contact: Susan Kayne
September 23, 2008 (212) 575-6200
National Eating Disorders Assn. Issues Strategies
for Schools to Identify, Assist Students with Eating Disorders
(New York, September 23, 2008) -- In response to an increasing demand from educators for hands-on strategies to deal with eating disorders among students, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) has produced a toolkit of the latest information on how to identify and assist students at risk for anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder.
Guidelines for teachers, administrators and staff include:
- Develop a student assistance program (SAP) and protocol to channel non-academic concerns about a student;
- Designate a sub-group of at least two members of the SAP to “get smart” about eating disorders and prepare and distribute tip sheets to teachers, coaches, guidance counselors and school nurses on healthy body image, nutrition, signs and symptoms of eating disorders;
- Create specific guidelines on referral for students suspected of having eating disorders. Be prepared to refer students and families to appropriate local counseling resources and medical practitioners who specialize in eating disorders;
- Update school policy on anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies to include provisions about physical appearance and body shape. Ensure that a protocol is in place for students to report teasing, bullying, or harassment based on weight and appearance; and
- Make it a policy not to weigh students publicly or in close proximity to other students. Consider eliminating weigh-in policies for sports programs if they are not absolutely necessary.
These guidelines and many others, as well information on the impact of eating disorders on a student’s cognitive ability and functioning in school, how to communicate effectively with students suspected of having an eating disorder (and their parents), and tips for school psychologists, nurses and coaches, can be found in the NEDA Educators toolkit, available free to download and print, at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/information-resources/educator-toolkit.php.
“NEDA created these toolkits to provide educators with the tools they need to deal effectively with what are serious and complex illnesses,” said Lynn Grefe, NEDA CEO. “Educators are often our first line of defense in identifying eating disorders and encouraging early intervention and proper treatment.”
More than 10 million women and one million men suffer from anorexia and/or bulimia; many millions more from binge eating disorder. The peak onset of eating disorders occurs during puberty and the late teen/early adult years.
The Educator Toolkit was introduced last week at the annual NEDA Conference in Austin, Texas. For more information on eating disorders and NEDA, please visit www.myneda.org.
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