F.E.A.S.T. quoted on ABCnews.com story on Obama story

F.E.A.S.T. Executive Director, Laura Collins, was quoted today in an ABC News story: Michelle Obama's Obesity Comments

"We've confused health and weight in a way that's very confusing for children and very confusing for parents," (Collins) Lyster-Mensh said. "When we speak publicly about putting our children on a diet, we start to get into weight stigma and confusing the message to families."

The focus on obesity, (Collins) Lyster-Mensh said, turns this into an issue of appearances, which does not bode well for children, especially girls.

..."Dieting is a gateway drug to eating disorders for those with a biological predisposition to eating disorders."

New Moderator at Around the Dinner Table online forum

Today we are delighted to welcome a new moderator to the Around the Dinner Table online forum. Mamame is a wonderful asset to the "Mod Squad" team and we are so grateful to her for her caring attention to fellow families and her skills at finding relevant research articles and links.

Welcome, Mamame!

Full disclosure

We hope all of our members will take note of our most recent Position Statement on “Full Disclosure.” We believe all families deserve to know what type of treatment their loved one is being offered and what evidence exists to support it. Informed families can make better judgments to support a family member’s care.

If you are currently researching care for a loved one, please use this document to better understand the issues and discuss them with your caregivers. Please let F.E.A.S.T. know if you have a story of having been fully informed at the outset of care, and how that affected the course of treatment. Please also let us know if you did NOT feel you received this kind of information and if that affected care.

F.E.A.S.T. Radio debut

Listen to F.E.A.S.T. directors and members in our New Year call-in radio show available online:

www.FEAST-ED.org

(Special guest appearance by our Executive Director's daughter!)

Lunch with F.E.A.S.T.

Lunch with F.E.A.S.T. - Happy New Year!

Join F.E.A.S.T. for lunch!

A live call-in radio show this week where you can call in from around the world to talk with F.E.A.S.T. Board members and ask questions about the history and hopes of the organization and the world of parent activism. Learn more about eating disorders and what parents can do!

January 15, 12 noon Eastern time in the US.

Call in by phone or on line, listen online as well.

(Show will be recorded and available online after taping.)

F.E.A.S.T. Board Supports E.D.C. Talking Points

The F.E.A.S.T. Board of Directors voted this week to state our support for the Eating Disorder Coalition's recent publication:

We Urge You To Oppose Mandatory BMI Reporting In The Schools

The talking points state that these school screenings:

• Lack a research basis
• Duplicate health measurements best pursued in the context of a physician's care
• Lack meaningful follow-up
• Could do harm
• Could initiate unhealthy eating and activity associated with the development of an eating disorder
• Could encourage bullying and teasing

F.E.A.S.T. calls on parents to educate themselves about these programs and speak up to school officials about these well-meaning but potentially harmful initiatives.

December membership drive - new levels of support

Are you a F.E.A.S.T. member? If you are, check your email.

Membership in F.E.A.S.T. is free of charge, as are all of our services, but we do need financial support to do our work. Although we are all volunteers and all our indirect costs are donated, there are website, insurance, travel, and administrative costs to cover every month.

We need your help! In the month of December we are asking our supporters to become Supporting Members or Founding Members of our organization.

www.feast-ed.org/feast/joinfeast.html
if you are not yet a member
http://www.feast-ed.org/upgrademembership.html
to upgrade your membership

Being a member at any level lets us know who we serve, and lets the world know that parents are joining together to press for improved treatment and family involvement in treatment. Join us at whatever level you can!