Episode summary:

Project HEAL (Help to Eat, Accept, and Live) is a nonprofit organization in the U.S. focused on equitable treatment access for eating disorders. Project HEAL is the only major direct service nonprofit in the U.S. focused on equitable healthcare access for people with eating disorders. The organization's mission is to break down systemic, healthcare, and financial barriers to eating disorder treatment. The mission is delivered through four core Treatment Support programs: Insurance Navigation, Treatment Placement, Cash Assistance, and Clinical Assessment. Project HEAL is also active in research, education, and advocacy at the national level. The organization's vision is that everyone with an eating disorder has the resources and opportunities they need to recover.

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that can have serious physical and psychological consequences. Here are some important facts about eating disorders:

1. Types of Eating Disorders: There are several types of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED). Each has its own distinct characteristics.
2. Anorexia Nervosa: Individuals with anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. They often severely restrict their food intake, leading to significant weight loss and health problems.
3. Bulimia Nervosa: People with bulimia engage in recurrent episodes of overeating (bingeing) followed by behaviors like self-induced vomiting, laxative use, or excessive exercise to compensate for the calorie intake.
4. Binge-Eating Disorder: This involves recurring episodes of consuming large quantities of food, often in a short period, without any compensatory behaviors. It can lead to obesity and related health issues.
5. Prevalence: Eating disorders affect people of all genders and ages. They are most commonly diagnosed in adolescents and young adults, but they can develop at any stage of life.
6. Causes: Eating disorders are thought to result from a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, environmental, and societal factors. Low self-esteem, perfectionism, and societal pressures related to body image can contribute to their development.

Topics discussed in this episode:

- What is an eating disorder [6:53]

- How Do You Identify an Eating Disorder [11:25]

- What Causes Eating Disorders [16:05]

- Society [20:30]

- Children & Eating Disorders [23:00]

- Body Positivity Movement [25:00]

-  Who is Affected by Eating Disorders[31:54]

- Treatment [38:48]

- Health Food Relationship [49:00]

Quote:

“It is not just about not eating, it's about how you feed yourself.”

Resources:

Social Media

Cell phones

Flourish Psychology

DataReportal

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

Bulimia Nervosa

Binge Eating Disorder

Anorexia Nervosa

Jim Crow

2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneurs

To The Bone

Connect with us:

- Subscribe to the Project Good Work Blog to read the article version of the interview.

- If you have a passion for an unserved community, a social justice problem or want to change minds contact Project Good Work at www.ProjectGood.Work to start your project of change today.