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Open Right

Why Can’t I Look the Way I Want?

Session Info:

Session description:

25% of children diagnosed with anorexia nervosa are male. 68% of 15 year old girls are on a diet. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any psychological illness. A Sydney study of adolescents aged 11 to 15 reported that 16% of the girls and 7% of the boys had engaged in at least 1 potentially dangerous method of weight reduction.

It is a fact that low self esteem coupled with going on a diet can lead to an eating disorder. As someone who recovered from anorexia, I am passionate about educating my audience in relation to the dangers of dieting, the prevalence of eating issues and the dark, lonely experience of living with an eating disorder. My aim is to inspire positive body image and increase the awareness of the early warning signs so they can recognsie an eating issue and stop it in its tracks.

Topics:

The dangers of dieting. What is positive body image? What is negative body image? Early warning signs. My journey through anorexia. My turning point. What I learned. The role of the media. How to help a friend if you suspect an eating issue. For Teachers/School Counsellors: how to draw out a young person in your care if you suspect an eating issue and what to do to help them. What the school can do to help educate students about the dangers of dieting.