Eating Disorders Pre-Conference Session

Eating Disorders Overview: Untangling the Web

Mardie Burckes-Miller, Ed.D. CHES, CEDS, FAED
Mardie is a professor of health education at Plymouth State University and director of the PSU Eating Disorders Institute graduate program. She has been coordinator of Eating Disorders Awareness Week in the Plymouth area for ten years, and has developed one of the first graduate specialization programs in eating disorders in the country to train professionals and educators and has coordinated 4 Eating Disorders Conferences. She presents nationally and internationally on health issues and eating disorders. She has been recognized internationally for her contributions to the field of eating disorders by being inducted as a Fellow of the Academy of Eating Disorders (FAED).

Description:
This presentation will provide an overview of eating disorders across, biological, environmental/culture and individual factors related to the causes of eating disorders, signs and symptoms. Eating Disorders are not lifestyle choices, but serious biologically-mediated diseases which cause more deaths than any other mental illness in the country. Included will be a description of the different classifications of eating disorders, the causes and factors, the new faces and ages in eating disorders.

Objectives:

1. Discuss basic criteria of eating disorders
2. List at least three causes of eating disorders
3. Recognize how environmental factors impact eating disorders
4. Update participants on the latest research in weight disorders: anorexia nervosa to obesity

Medical Problems Associated with Eating Disorders

Laura J. Clauss, ARNP-C, CEDS Laura Clauss is a certified eating disorder specialist and a family nurse practitioner. She is the medical director, president and CEO of The Center for Eating Disorders Management in Bedford, NH, where she oversees outpatient and intensive outpatient programs. She has been treating clients with eating disorders since 1976. Laura is an adjunct professor at Plymouth State University and has been teaching in the Eating Disorder Institute since its inception.

Description: Coaches and school personnel often have concerns about their students with suspected or known eating disorders, who may be at medical risk. This presentation will focus on three major causes of medical complications in eating disorders. They are malnutrition, dehydration and physical trauma. Signs and symptoms of medical problems from eating disorders will be presented, along with suggestions about how to recognize these problems, and when and how to refer clients for specialized medical care.

Objectives:

1. Recognize a client at risk for medical problems related to an eating disorder
2. Recognize the need for medical intervention and refer clients for specialized care
3. Cite three major causes of medical complications in eating disorders

Nutrition Nuts and Bolts: Strategies for School Professionals

Claudette Peck, LCMHC, RD, LD Claudette Peck is a licensed clinical mental health counselor, and registered, licensed dietitian. She is employed by Dartmouth College as their staff nutritionist, and is a member of Dartmouth College's Eating Disorder Consultation Team. Claudette has been very involved in recent policy changes to Dartmouth College's Eating Disorder program, and recent revisions to Dartmouth College's Eating Disorder Treatment manual, 2008 edition. Claudette is an adjunct faculty member of the Eating Disorders Graduate Institute at Plymouth State University, teaching Nutrition Counseling. Claudette has been working in the field of eating disorders treatment for 19 years. Additionally, Claudette is trained as an online facilitator for Vtrim, a behavior management weight loss program. She resides in Enfield, NH.

Description: Through the use of sample food records, participants will take basic knowledge of nutrition and food groups to assess and provide feedback regarding one's nutritional needs. While the study of nutrition is vast, this brief nutrition overview will focus on a few key tools used to advise clients on nutritional needs, assess their level of motivation to change behaviors, and understand the role of the nutritionist in the team approach to the treatment of eating disorders and weight management. The use of role-plays will be incorporated to give participants a chance to test these new skills and gain experience with behavior change interventions. Participants will learn how to help a client in developing a SMART goal toward a healthier lifestyle.

Objectives:

1. Discuss basic food group knowledge to assess one's dietary needs
2. Describe motivational interviewing techniques used to initiate behavioral change
3. Discuss the role of the nutrition counselor in the treatment of eating disorders and weight management

Assessment and Treatment of Eating Disorders

Amy Armstrong, LICSW Amy is the Clinical Director of MEDA and has worked in the field of eating disorders for over 10 years. She received her Masters Degree from the University of WA in Seattle in June of 2000, and then began working with Laurel Hill Inn the first month they opened in November of 2000. When at Laurel Hill, she had several roles, including clinical social worker, individual therapist, and interim director of the residential program; she went on to eventually implement and direct Laurel Hill's Day Treatment Center. Amy later worked for the Newton Wellesley Eating Disorder and Behavioral Medicine program as an outpatient therapist. She specializes in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and on adults with eating disorders and trauma histories. She is delighted to be part of MEDA and such a tremendously important cause.

Description: This session will provide an assessment tool for eating disorders that includes the more subtle things to look for in eating disorder treatment. It also will include a look at various effective treatment modalities, including CBT, family, DBT. In addition, an overview of the various levels of care (outpatient, partial and residential) will be provided along with criteria for these and a list of treatment centers in the area.

Objectives:

1. Assess for eating disorders
2. List at least three eating disorder modalities
3. Discuss at least 3 treatment options and criteria for admission

Media's Influence on Body Image and Disordered Eating
"R-E-S-P-E-C-T"
"Find Out What That Means To Me"

Rona Zlokower, MA Rona Zlokower, MCM, founded Media Power Youth, a NH nonprofit (formerly MediaSmart), in 2000, in collaboration with Selma Deitch, MD, founder of Child Health Services and Rob Nordgren, MD, MPH, then Director of Child Health Services. Media Power Youth (MPY) empowers youth to avoid at-risk behaviors succeed in school and make healthy, safe choices through thoughtful, creative and informed use of media. MPY provides parents and professionals with skills, tools and information to assist youth in understanding the influence and power of media and assistance in advocating for healthy media environments. Rona has led and participated in public/private partnerships in the public health, corporate and nonprofit sectors for over thirty-five years. She is past president of the New Hampshire Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect, past chair of the Corporate Fund of NH, and former member of the board of the NH Women's Fund. She serves on the advisory committee of Manchester's Makin' It Happen, and the NH Department of Health and Human Services, Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Prevention Taskforce. Rona has a BS from Syracuse University and a MCM from Simmons College, Boston. She is a graduate of the 2001 New Mexico Media Literacy Institute.

Description: In the 1960's, Aretha Franklin sang for "R-E-S-P-E-CT, just a little bit." During this presentation, you will experience modern media's rhythms, words and images while hearing about the research which demonstrates media's influences on body image and self esteem and as a trigger and reinforcement to disordered eating. While respectful and realistic human portrayals exist, media abounds with misogyny, over sexualized content, unrealistic body types, manipulated photography and graphics, weight loss themes, stereotypes and disrespect.

Learn strategies for immunizing women, girls, boys and men against unhealthy media, especially as it influences disordered eating, and creating healthy pro social media while advocating for healthy media environments.

Objectives:

1. Discuss research linking media's influence to body image and as a trigger and reinforcement for disordered eating
2. Gain strategies for empowering women, girls, men and boys to resist unhealthy media
4. Empower yourself and others to create and advocate for media that promotes healthy choices and cultural norms

Students with Eating Disorders: Managing Vulnerability in the Academic Environment

Douglas Bunnell, Ph.D., FAED Dr. Bunnell is Vice President and Director of Outpatient Clinical Services for the Renfrew Center and oversees the clinical programs at Renfrew's seven non residential treatment centers. He is also editor of Perspectives, Renfrew's bi-annual journal on clinical aspects of eating disorders. He is a former president of the National Eating Disorders Association and has been active in eating disorder advocacy. Dr. Bunnell also maintains a private practice in Wilton, Connecticut.

Description: Eating disorders are complicated and difficult to treat illnesses. Most patients develop their eating disorders when they are students, either high school or college. The majority will find themselves in school and in treatment at the same time. Identifying students at risk and supporting students, and their families, in treatment can be labor intensive and emotionally challenging. This session will address the ways in which school personnel can design in-house programs for eating disorders awareness, prevention, early detection, and quick referral for treatment. The session will also explore ways in which pressures in an academic community interact with the personality and temperamental features of students who are vulnerable to the development of eating difficulties. Finally, participants will explore how they can develop a systematic approach to managing the needs of students with eating disorders.

Objectives:

1. Identify the prevalence of different weight-related problems in adolescents and factors associated with these problems
2. Identify at least three strategies that parents can utilize at home to prevent weight-related problems
3. Discuss at least three school-based obesity prevention programs that promote a positive body image in adolescent girls

Big Fat Lies About Ideal Weight

Glenn Gaesser, Ph.D. Glenn is a professor in the Department of Exercise and Wellness, School of Applied Arts and Sciences, at Arizona State University. Professor Gaesser has had prior faculty appointments at the University of Virginia and UCLA. He has given more than 200 invited regional, national and international presentations to a variety of professional, business, and lay audiences on the subjects of health, fitness and body weight, and is interviewed frequently by the media on these topics, including appearances on Good Morning America, ABC's 20/20 and World News Tonight, CNN, NBC Nightly News, and Dateline NBC. He is also the author of several books, including Big Fat Lies: The Truth About Your Weight and Your Health (Gurze, 2002).

Description: The idea that a given body weight is a meaningful indicator of health, fitness, or prospects for longevity is one of our most firmly-held beliefs, and one of our most dubious propositions. Being "fat" may not be so bad and "thin" may not be so good. Dieting may give rise to a number of adverse health problems, and a single-minded focus on weight loss (control) may undermine efforts to improve health of those considered "too fat." Most "weight-related" health problems can be improved independently of weight loss. Consequently, fit and healthy bodies can come in many shapes and sizes, and this is true across the lifecycle. The presentation will highlight a number of examples relevant to the pediatric population.

Objectives:

1. Identify the relationship between body weight, weight loss and health
2. Identify health effects of non-weight-centered lifestyle interventions
3. Identify the health risks associated with weight-centered focuses on health, weight loss and weight cycling