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F.E.A.S.T. Supports Parents and Families of Those Suffering From Eating Disorders

rredick May 14, 2024
Photo credit: anzaed, org

Over 30 million people in the United States live with an eating disorder. Some of these conditions are life threatening, but even the least severe cases are detrimental. Young people, especially girls, are particularly at risk. That’s why we were so pleased to discover a nonprofit support and information organization called F.E.A.S.T.

By any measure, it’s an enormous problem. Eating disorders worldwide doubled from 2000 to 2018. Among adolescent girls in the U.S., it’s the third most prevalent form of chronic illness. Whether we’re talking about binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, or anorexia nervosa, the condition can be and even life threatening.

The good news? Help is available and effective. And just as with substance use disorder, one of the first, best sources of help is an informed and trained Loved One.

F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered And Supporting Treatment for Eating Disorders) just this kind of help. Through online training, webinars, downloadable booklets—and crucially, peer to peer support, they reach parents and others across the world. Most of what they offer is free of charge.

The F.E.A.S.T. approach is evidence-based, factual, respectful, and straightforward: very much in keeping with our approach here at Allies in Recovery. And while the focus at F.E.A.S.T. is on parents, the information and guidance are useful to anyone with a Loved One suffering from an eating disorder.

You can reach out to them at their homepage: https://www.feast-ed.org/

…or get to know them through their Facebook page.

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