Fighting Back!

Although the eating disorders battle is an uphill one, it is not helpless nor is it as hidden as it was in the past. More and more campaigns are brought forth in order to raise awareness, change the way the media alters images, and change the way people think about body image. NEDIC’s campaign “Cast responsibly. Retouch minimally” encouraged the fashion industry to pay attention to what kind of messaging they are sending out into the world. Read about it more here: http://smr.newswire.ca/en/zulu-alpha-kilo/zulu-alpha-kilo-and-nedic-eating-disorder-awareness

Another campaign is by Dove – Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty is a huge project dedicated to build confidence and sending out a message to embrace all definitions of beauty. The Dove Self-Esteem Fund has reached 7 million so far, and they’re going for more. Check it out here: http://www.dove.ca/en/default.aspx#/cfrb/

EDOYR’s own efforts include school presentations and this very blog! Through our school presentations we hope to raise awareness, decrease stigma, and prevent eating disorders by encouraging a discussion around healthy body image and teaching about media literacy. It is important for kids to learn from an early age to embrace their true selves and continue showing their true colours throughout their whole life! This includes being on alert for distorted images and messaging from media and society. Our blog is here to converse with anyone who is interested in EDOYR and wants to support us!

Eating disorders can be healed, and they can be prevented. Every little bit helps. Just changing the dialogue around us, stopping people from discussing negative body narratives, and staying true to yourself are some of the ways individuals can help!

Looking Beyond the Mirror

The media is huge issue and a huge contributing factor for eating disorders, because what people see is not reality. The extremely thin people they see on the billboards are a. airbrushed and b. are not leading a healthy lifestyle. The National Eating Disorder Information Centre informs us that 1.5% of Canadian women aged 15-24 had eating disorders in 2002. That number has not gone down, if anything, it has been climbing. That is not counting unreported cases – which is common, due to the still prevalent stigma associated with eating disorders. It is sad to see the magazine covers and realize that girls are striving to be something unrealistic. That is why it is refreshing to see something like this Newsweek report on “Unattainable Beauty” – where they reveal all the photoshopping and editing that goes into making a magazine or a billboard. Sometimes the celebrity/model is not even aware that they are going to be airbrushed into an impossible ideal.

http://www.newsweek.com/feature/2010/unattainable-beauty.html

Eating disorders affect both men and women, and make them inclined to go to extreme measures in order to attain the unattainable. Who defines what is beautiful? The media has the most power, because when we are exposed to hundreds of ads each day, we are taking in subliminal messaging about what we should look like, what we should eat, what we should buy. If you are a beautiful person inside, you are a beautiful person outside as well. Looks are not everything, but this value is one that is not taught in school. It is up to parents to make sure their children are not pulled into the darkness of this shallow, shadow world that is shaped by television and Internet images of unattainable “beauty” standards. 

Jean Kilbourne is a sociologist who has made 4 movies up to date, “Killing Us Softly” being the first one. Her insight into society and media explains for women are portrayed and what that does to how women treat themselves, and how they are treated by everyone around them. It is an eye-opening and shocking movie, but we must remember that despite what the imaging does, we can still fight back. Campaigns such as Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty (View a model’s make up video here – also eye-opening http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U) are an inspiration and a relief that all is not lost, and if perhaps, more companies took on this approach, we could change the way the media portrays beauty.

Please find the “Killing Us Softly” video on YouTube below:

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSXDCMSlv_I

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zudgbjFvvo&NR=1

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs-SQ385Zek&NR=1

Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6i9sxatgVM&feature=related

Joanne Shinwell,  co-ordinator of  this year's Cedar  Brae Ladies '  Member/Guest Day ,   presenting Janice Morgante, Executive Director of Eating Disorders of York Region (EDOYR) , with a cheque for $525.00 raised  through the sale of mulligans.  Thank you to our Friends and Friend-Raisers for your support!!! 

Friend-Raising!

A few weeks ago we came up with a new word for fund raising - friend-raising!

The great thing about "friend-raising" is anyone and everyone can participate. It is not only about raising funds - it is about raising awareness and being an ambassador of EDOYR! By participating in friend-raising you could help us lessen the stigma associated with eating disorders. It could be as simple as creating a positive environment at school by discouraging conversations that focus around negative body image. Individuals and groups could organize events to help support EDOYR - yard sales, open mics, karaoke nights, book sales, or even a pet parade! Friend-raising gives volunteers a chance to use their own creative genius! Contact us with your ideas and initiatives at info@edoyr.com! If you would like to become an ambassador for EDOYR or plan an event - take pictures and we will be delighted to post them on our website and Facebook page!

Hope is part of our vision, it is a vital component of the healing process. Our hope is to have an intervention-assessment center. This, in turn, will give hope to thousands who are affected by eating disorders.
Please keep us in your good thoughts!

Eating Disorders of York Region provides free support programs for the community and has been doing so for seven years. We are not a government agency. We rely on your support to serve the needs of the community.

We appreciate your support! Every dollar makes a difference!

“Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.” - George Iles

Media Literacy

The importance of media literacy is growing exponentially, as we are bombarded by negative body image messaging every day. Critically examining the world around us helps us keep true to our own bodies. Examples such as these are eye-opening and thought-provoking.

This is a revealing blog entry from The Centre for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt that displays two ads found in Men’s Health fitness magazine. An advertisement for almonds has two different approaches on how to target men and women. Read about it below:

http://eatingdisorder.org/blog/2011/04/jet-fuel-and-a-handful-of-no-regrets-the-subtle-reasons-why-media-literacy-is-so-important-when-it-comes-to-messages-about-food-and-weight/

The following image speaks for itself – ALDO’s model is evidently photoshopped here as seen by the absence of his torso:

http://ny.racked.com/archives/2011/03/25/spot_the_photoshop_goof_aldos_torsofree_model.php

"The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides."  -Audrey Hepburn

A little bit about EDOYR

Eating Disorders of York Region is a registered non-profit charity organization that strives to deliver support and hope to individuals and families affected by eating disorders. We hope that this blog serves as the start of a hopeful and inspirational conversation.
EDOYR started as a group of concerned parents who saw the lack of support available for eating disorders, particularly in York Region. Today, we are providing resources and support programs to men and women over 16, hoping to expand our outreach and services.
We hope that you will find our blog informative as well as a place for hope and inspiration!

"Hope is the dream of the waking man"
 - French Proverb