National Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Today is the start of National Eating Disorder Week. And I thought that I would spend the week talking about this topic. Today I want to stick with facts and statistics. This website http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/uploads/statistics_tmp.pdf shows the impact that eating disorders have in our world. Eating disorders are a scary...they are a death trap...they are a mental health issue.

The following is copied from the website above:
"In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Millions more are struggling with binge eating disorder (Crowther et al., 1992; Fairburn et al., 1993; Gordon, 1990; Hoek, 1995; Shisslak et al.,1995).Because of the secretiveness and shame associated with eating disorders, many cases are probably not reported. In addition, many individuals struggle with body dissatisfaction and subclinical disorderedeating attitudes and behaviors. For example, it has been shown that 80% of American women are dissatisfied with their appearance (Smolak, 1996)."

10 million. That is a staggering number.

Many times people see eating disorders as a vanity issue...and some may start out that way...but many disorders begin because of traumatic experiences, being a perfectionist, a comment from someone about their appearance or abilities, trying to fit in and the media that says we are suppose look and be a certain way that is ultimately unattainable.

I believe that the core areas that needs to be address are IDENTITY and SELF WORTH. Every time I talk to someone or hear a story the main focus of their issues start with an identity crisis....and I truly believe this is the area that God wants me to serve Him in...to encourage others in finding who they are in Christ...and reaching the secular world in whatever way God shows me...

Please join me in praying for girls, women, boys, and men who are battling eating disorders. Lift them up in prayer. Pray for a break through. Pray they will see themselves as God created them to be.

I hope for the rest of the week to talk about identity, self worth, forgiveness and whatever else God places on my heart.

Thank you for joining me in prayer. If you want to donate to the National Eating Disorder Association go to www.nationaleatingdisorders.org (or just learn more about it).

I am so thankful for freedom...freedom in Christ.
In love Teresa