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EDReferral.com Newsletter - August, 2011

 

 

 

Current Research and News:  

News Statistic: According to the CDC, approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese. Since 1980, obesity prevalence among children and adolescents has almost tripled.

 

Research Study Using MRI to Examine Bulimia Nervosa in Adolescent Girls. Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center are conducting an NIMH-funded study aimed at understanding brain development in adolescents with Bulimia Nervosa. They are looking for girls, 12-18 years old, who binge-eat and purge. Participation involves completing interviews, games and puzzles, and an MRI scan. Compensation (up to $400) or treatment, free of charge, will be provided for participation. The study takes place at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive in Manhattan. For more information, call the Eating Disorders Clinic at 212-543-5739 or 212-543-6072 or email MRISTUDY@childpsych.columbia.edu.

 

Risk Factors for Onset of Eating Disorders: Evidence of multiple risk pathways from an 8-year prospective study. Objective: Use classification tree analysis with lagged predictors to determine empirically derived cut-points for identifying adolescent girls at risk for future onset of threshold, subthreshold, and partial eating disorders and test for interactions between risk factors that may implicate qualitatively distinct risk pathways. Method: Data were drawn from a prospective study of 496 adolescent girls who completed diagnostic interviews and surveys annually for 8 years. Results: Body dissatisfaction emerged as the most potent predictor; adolescent girls in the upper 24% of body dissatisfaction showed a 4.0-fold increased incidence of eating disorder onset (24% vs. 6%). Among participants in the high body dissatisfaction branch, those in the upper 32% of depressive symptoms showed a 2.9-fold increased incidence of onset (43% vs. 15%). Among participants in the low body dissatisfaction branch, those in the upper 12% of dieting showed a 3.6-fold increased incidence onset (18% vs. 5%).Conclusion: This three-way interaction suggests a body dissatisfaction pathway to eating disorder onset that is amplified by depressive symptoms, as well as a pathway characterized by self-reported dieting among young women who are more satisfied with their bodies. It may be possible to increase the effectiveness of prevention programs by targeting each of these qualitatively distinct risk groups, rather than only individuals with a single risk factor. Source: Behav Res Ther. 2011 Jun 28. [Epub ahead of print]

 

 

Genetic Association of Recovery from Eating Disorders: The Role of GABA Receptor SNPs. Follow-up studies of eating disorders (EDs) suggest outcomes ranging from recovery to chronic illness or death, but predictors of outcome have not been consistently identified. We tested 5151 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in approximately 350 candidate genes for association with recovery from ED in 1878 women. Initial analyses focused on a strictly defined discovery cohort of women who were over age 25 years, carried a lifetime diagnosis of an ED, and for whom data were available regarding the presence (n=361 ongoing symptoms in the past year, ie, 'ill') or absence (n=115 no symptoms in the past year, ie, 'recovered') of ED symptoms. An intronic SNP (rs17536211) in GABRG1 showed the strongest statistical evidence of association (p=4.63 × 10(-6), false discovery rate (FDR)=0.021, odds ratio (OR)=0.46). We replicated these findings in a more liberally defined cohort of women age 25 years or younger (n=464 ill, n=107 recovered; p=0.0336, OR=0.68; combined sample p=4.57 × 10(-6), FDR=0.0049, OR=0.55). Enrichment analyses revealed that GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) SNPs were over-represented among SNPs associated at p<0.05 in both the discovery (Z=3.64, p=0.0003) and combined cohorts (Z=2.07, p=0.0388). In follow-up phenomic association analyses with a third independent cohort (n=154 ED cases, n=677 controls), rs17536211 was associated with trait anxiety (p=0.049), suggesting a possible mechanism through which this variant may influence ED outcome. These findings could provide new insights into the development of more effective interventions for the most treatment-resistant patients. Neuropsychopharmacology advance online publication, 13 July 2011; doi:10.1038/npp.2011.108. Source: Neuropsychopharmacology. 2011 Jul 13. doi: 10.1038/npp.2011.108. [Epub ahead of print]

 

 

Smoking for Weight Control and its Associations with Eating Disorder Symptomatology. Objective: This study examined interrelationships between cigarette smoking for weight control and eating disorder symptoms in a community sample of adult female smokers. Method: Participants were 107 female smokers who completed a battery of questionnaires, including the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Key items measured weight-control smoking, including smoking to prevent overeating, smoking to undo the effects of overeating, and smoking to feel less hungry. Smokers who endorsed smoking in an attempt to control weight were compared with those who denied such behaviors on EDE-Q scores and frequency of binge eating and purging. Results: A substantial proportion of participants reported weight-control smoking. Participants who endorsed weight-control smoking reported elevations on eating disorder symptoms as measured by the EDE-Q. Compensatory smoking was related to the frequency of binge eating. Discussion: The findings have implications for clinicians working with eating disorder patients; for some individuals, cigarette smoking may be used as an attempt to compensate for overeating. Source: Compr Psychiatry. 2011 Jul 6. [Epub ahead of print]

 

 

 

For Professionals - Conferences/Seminars/Online Courses/Study Groups:  

Molly Kellogg’s Counseling Intensive for Nutrition Professionals. This highly interactive, practical workshop is designed to advance dietitians’ proficiency with nutrition counseling skills. 12 credits (RDs and DTRs). Two full days of training. 2011 Cities: Philadelphia, PA:  August 4-5; New York, NY: October 23-24; Scottsdale, AZ: December 2-3.  One-day training:  San Diego, CA: September 23. 2012 Cities: New Orleans, January 6-7; Durham, North Carolina, February 3-4; Denver, April 13-14. Steps to Mindful Eating with Donald Altman. Scottsdale, AZ, December 4: Do you find it difficult to engage your disordered eating clients in the change process? This practical workshop for mental health in nutrition professionals will help you reach clients. Using mindfulness tools, mindful eating principles and cutting-edge mindfulness research, Donald will show how to train the brain for a peaceful relationship with food, weight, and body. The workshop comes alive with videos, humor, handouts, case studies, demonstrations, and mindfulness practice (6 credits). Details on all these workshops at www.mollykellogg.com.

 

 

The Association of Size Diversity and Health presents, "No Body Left Behind," the 5th annual International Conference, on Aug. 12-14 in the San Francisco Bay Area.  This conference will examine the evidence that a weight-loss approach to promoting health is not only ineffective, but also potentially damaging.  Sessions will provide critical information for nurses, physicians, therapists, dietitians, health educators, and  other health professionals to better advocate for and achieve successful health outcomes for their patients/clients, as well as in their own personal lives. Keynotes Include: " Weight Science: Evaluating the Evidence for a Paradigm Shift," "Weight Bias and Discrimination," "First Do No Harm: HAES Education in Healthcare and Bridging the Gap Between the Eating Disorders and Health At Every Size Worlds," "Who Gets to Be Healthy? Supporting Wellness NOT Healthism." Also: Film Premiere of Darryl Roberts": American the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments. For registration information go to  www.sizediversityandhealth.org.

 

 

Los Angeles, CA - National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) 2011 Conference: Join NEDA in Los Angeles, CA on October 13 - 15 for their 2011 Annual Conference, Reaching for the Stars: Advancing the Prevention and Treatment of Eating Disorders. The NEDA Conference brings together professionals, people in recovery and their families to connect and learn from one another. Tailor your conference experience by choosing sessions from the following tracks: Treatment, Family Basic, Co-Occurring Conditions, Diversity and Special Issues, and Educator and Outreach. For more information and to register, visit www.MyNEDA.org.

 

 

REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 16th TO RECEIVE THE EARLY REGISTRATION RATE for the 21st Annual Renfrew Center Foundation Eating Disorders Conference for Professionals - Feminist Relational Perspectives and Beyond: The Next Generation. Offering 17.5 CEUs, this three day conference is for behavioral health professionals, physicians, nurses and dietitians. The event is taking place at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott, Philadelphia, PA from November 11-13, 2011. It highlights the exciting work currently being undertaken in many arenas including neuroscience, psychotherapy, genetics and technology communication — all of which have enormous implications for the theory and treatment of anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder. Topics include: Interpersonal Neurobiology and Feminist Relational Theory; Internal Family Systems; Ethical Issues; Family Based Treatment – Maudsley Method; Yoga and Meditation; Mindfulness; Merging Technology and Psychotherapy; Transgenerational Eating Disorders; Using Eating Disorder Research to Motivate Clients; and more. Keynote Presentations: The Mindful and Relational Brain: The Next Integration, Daniel Siegel, MD, Amy Banks, MD and Beth McGilley, PhD; From Princesses to Pop-Tarts: What the New Culture of Girlhood Means for Girls and the Grown-Ups Who Care About Them, Peggy Orenstein, author of Cinderella Ate My Daughter; and Mindfulness and Psychotherapy, Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD. For more information visit the Conference website at www.renfrewconference2011.org or contact Debbie Lucker at 1-877-367-3383 or dlucker@renfrew.org.

 

 

New Professional Webinar Training: Decoding the Symbolic Meaning in Disordered Eating and Weight-Related Behaviors, with Barbara Birsinger, ThD, MPH, RD, guests Anita Johnston, PhD, author of Eating in the Light of the Moon, and Judith Duerk, MA, author of the Circle of Stones Series.  24 CE hours offered. This Webinar Training is for clinicians—therapists, nutritionists and others—who want to learn new, practical, friendly, effective and research-based tools to help their clients with disordered eating and weight-related behaviors. Clients will learn to: discover the purpose being served and understand the symbolic language deeply rooted in their current beliefs and behaviors; access and accept their feelings and recognize deep needs more easily; discover from within, how to activate Self-care practices and creative self-expression uniquely their own, to satisfy unmet needs, lessening the need for behaviors; build meaning in their recovery leading to more self-acceptance and compassion; and reduce resistance, increase motivation for treatment and remain stable in recovery. Clinicians will receive a system that provides concrete steps and structure over the course of treatment for clients to sustainably transform their beliefs and behaviors. Decoding Processes include: Restrictive Eating/Anxieties; Symbolic Food Cravings/Emotional Overeating/Bingeing; Weight/Size Obsessions; Body Criticisms; Exercise Resistance; Compulsive Over-Exercise; and Compensatory Behaviors/Bulimia. Course includes: client video demonstrations, content presentations, all recorded (video or MP3 audio streamed, telephone or online access) with Live Q and A sessions, 24/7 Interactive Membership Site for participant case consults, peer learning, downloadable Clinician Manual and client handouts. Details/Registration for September: 888-243-9582; email: research@BarbaraBirsinger.com.

 

 

Professional Study Groups - Southern CA. Facilitator: Carolyn Costin, LMFT. These professional study groups cover case reviews, treatment strategies, new literature, research, and other areas related to the treatment of eating disorders. CEU's are given to MFT's and LCSW's. For more information on meeting times and locations call 310-457-9958, email mntc@montenido.com or visit the website at www.montenido.com.

 

 

Advocacy:  

Project HEAL. Founded by Liana Rosenman, Kristina Saffran and Becky Allen.  Project HEAL’s mission is to raise money to make sure that eating disorders do not succeed in taking over people's lives. Residential treatment centers usually cost about $30,000 per month. Unfortunately, insurance companies often refuse to cover this cost because they do not classify eating disorders as a medical illness. All parents want their child to recover. Some parents are fortunate that they can afford to pay for this expensive treatment if their insurance will not cover it. However, there are many others who cannot. The money donated will be used as scholarship to be distributed to patients who want to get better and are ready to do the hard work required. Project Heal is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information about the organization and the Scholarship Fun visit http://theprojectheal.org/The_Project_HEAL/Welcome.html.