In the United States, nearly 30 million women and men of all ages, race and backgrounds suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia, at some point in their lives. An eating disorder affects the entire family.
To help, the St. Cloud Hospital Behavioral Health Clinic is offering a Family and Friends Support Group for Eating Disorders.
Groups are led by a licensed psychologist or registered dietitian and provide support to friends and family through education and sharing with others who also have a loved one with an eating disorder. Each month a different topic will be explored. Attendees will take away tips for making mealtimes less stressful, how to respond to food and body image struggles and what to say or not to say.
People who may have or be at risk of developing eating disorders:
- Weigh themselves every day;
- Skip at least one meal a day;
- Count calories and fat grams every time they eat; and
- Exercise because they feel they have to, not because they want to.
The group meets from 5:15-6:15 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at CentraCare Health Plaza in the Leonard, Street & Deinard room.
