Eating Disorders in New York

Supporters of the prevention and treatment of eating disorders in New York City praised the New York State Legislature yesterday for taking steps to prevent eating disorders and improve eating disorder treatment.

This includes the passing of two bills, one of which is to help identify and prevent eating disorders, while the other is to help improve residential treatment centres.

One bill gives the go-ahead for the establishment of the Child Performers Advisory Board, which will manage the development of guidelines and recommendations for identifying and getting treatment for child actors who are at risk from or suffering from eating disorders.

The Child Performers Advisory board members will also put together recommendations for educational resources, the purpose of which will be to create awareness of eating disorders among actors and models.

A second bill calls for the Office of Mental Health to set out regulations for licensing support services for people with eating disorders, as well as residential treatment centres. This bill also launches an Advisory Council on Eating Disorders within the Department of Health in order to advise the department on eating disorders policies and events in New York.

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) supports these proposals.

Lynn Grefe, NEDA chief executive officer, said: “The State has taken steps critical to our work in preventing and advancing quality treatment for eating disorders. Instead of waiting for severe illness or deaths from eating disorders in the fashion or entertainment industries, New York is being proactive in addressing eating disorders among minors. And, as our families have long advocated for licensing of residential treatment centers, we now have reason to believe that the quality of care for individuals affected with eating disorders will improve in New York State.”

(Source: National Eating Disorders Association)