Week of April 16 – April 22

Welcome to this week’s collection of public comments and thoughts from?NEDA leadership and members of our Clinical or Research Advisory Councils. Please note that some of these comments are not always reflective of NEDA’s current position(s); however, they provide continued insight and useful context around issues impacting our community. We invite you to read, learn, and build strength through shared experience and knowledge.

Wherever possible, we will provide links directly to the articles that meet?NEDA’s Media Guidelines. Articles containing content outside of our standards, will be noted by title, author, outlet, and date.?

YouTube updates guidelines for eating disorder-related content

Hayley Yamada

ABC News, 4.18.23

Featuring Sarah Chase , VP of Communication?

“We know from the data that YouTube had over 1.4 billion views on mental health content in the US in 2021 and we know that the earlier a person with an eating disorder reaches out and seeks treatment, the greater the likelihood of physical and emotional recovery,” said Sarah Chase, the vice president of communication for NEDA, in part of a statement. “YouTube is taking a further step in the right direction toward helping NEDA with our mission.”?READ MORE

Eating disorders clinic expands at N.J. hospital after cases surged during pandemic

Rob Jennings

NJ.com News, 4.19.23

Featuring Elizabet Altunkara, LMSW, SIFI , Director of Education?

“People who were already struggling with disordered eating prior to the pandemic started struggling with a full-blown eating disorder during the pandemic. Adults who were in recovery from an eating disorder started experiencing a relapse,” said Elizabet Altunkara, LMSW, SIFI , NEDA’s education director.

Shaquille O'Neal recalls sportscasters criticizing him for his weight while playing in the NBA

Kaitlin Reilly

Yahoo, 4.20.23

Featuring Riley Nickols, PhD, CEDS-C NEDA Clinical Advisory Council

It's difficult to imagine a world-class athlete dealing with body image struggles. However, Riley Nickols, a sports psychologist and founder of?Mind Body Endurance?who is a member of the?National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)?Clinical Advisory Council, says it's not surprising. "Male athletes can experience both internal and external pressures to have bodies that are high in muscle and low in body fat," he explains. "The pressure for male athletes to have well-defined muscles, minimal body fat and a physique that conveys strength, power and athleticism can lead to maladaptive behaviors that put an athlete's physical and psychological health at risk. Achieving high athletic performance has long been the centerpiece for athletes. However, there now seemingly is pressure for athletes to both perform at a high level in sport and to 'look the part.'"

The Gen XYZ Guide to Eating Disorders

Emily Laurence?

ClubMental, 4.21.23

Featuring Elizabet Altunkara, Director of Education?

“It can be hard to know when you’ve crossed the line—and a history of dieting does up your chances of developing an eating disorder,” says?Elizabet Altunkara, LMSW, the director of education at the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). “However, dieting or tracking what you eat through calorie-counting apps doesn’t equal a diagnosable ED.”?READ MORE

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