Eating disorders affect nearly 29 million people in the United States, with 95% being ages 12-25. Yet too many myths and not enough resources make it one of the least talked about and understood mental and physical health problems out there.

For example, you may not know that:

• Many people with eating disorders look healthy yet may be severely ill.
• Anorexia has the second-highest death rate of any behavioral health condition, surpassed only by opioid overdoses.
• Eating disorders affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, body shapes and weights, sexual orientations and income levels.
• An eating disorder is not a choice; it is a true illness caused by anxiety, genetics, metabolism, and other factors.
• Warning signs of eating disorders include, but are not limited to, sudden weight loss or gain, intolerance to cold, yellow-ish skin, fatigue, hair loss, nail changes, heartburn, depressive or anxious behavior, stress fractures, poor concentration and self-harm.

OHA’s Child and Family Behavioral Health division is offering an eight-part, five-month training series about eating disorders – free and open to all, including health professionals, educators, families and children of all ages.

The series is led by Therese Waterhous, PhD, RDN, CEDRD-S, owner, clinician and trainer at Willamette Nutrition Source, LLC, and will include a few guest speakers along the way. Each lesson is focused on a different topic related to eating disorders and caregiving, providing resources to offer a deeper and more robust understanding of what eating disorders are, how they are treated, and how families can best support their loved ones. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate and ask questions at each session.

Most sessions take place on Wednesdays, noon to 1:15 p.m. (The only exception is April 15 – a Tuesday.) Click on the date to register. (If the date has passed, click on the session title to watch the video recording.)

• Jan. 29: “What are Eating Disorders?”
• Feb. 12: “Screening and Best Treatment for Eating Disorders” with special guest Charlotte Thomas, LCSW/LICSW. Learn to use validated screening tools for eating disorders and understand the components of effective, evidence-based treatments.
• Feb. 26: “Trauma Informed Care for Eating Disorders: Why, When, and How” with special guest Charlotte Thomas, LCSW/LICSW. Discuss why trauma informed care for eating disorders is necessary for effective treatment. Identify possible sources of trauma for eating disorders and strategies for using trauma informed care in medical, therapeutic and education-based settings.
• March 26: “Reducing Barriers: Navigating Eating Disorder Care for BIPOC Communities” with special guest Angela Goens, MS, RDN, LD. Learn about the unique challenges faced by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities in relation to eating disorders. Understand treatment disparities and ways to create a more inclusive and culturally sensitive approach to treating BIPOC clients.
• April 15: “Weight Stigma and Weight Inclusive Care” with special guest Charlotte Thomas, LCSW/LICSW. Learn about the impact of weight stigma, weight bias and other environmental factors in eating disorder etiology.
• May 7: “Gender Affirming Nutrition Care” with special guest Lindsay “LB” Birchfield, MS, RDN, CEDS-C. Learn about Gender Affirming Nutrition Care (GANC) and different applications in primary treatment settings.
• May 21: “Community Resources and Community Prevention Efforts for Eating Disorders” for basic concepts of prevention of eating disorders and different prevention efforts in Oregon and nationally.
• June 4: Final Q&A session — a chance to reflect on what has been presented and ask any final questions of the presenters.

All sessions will have live Spanish translation and be recorded and posted for later viewing here. If you have questions about the series, email or call Salma Abdulkadir (541-490-2864). If you have accessibility questions, email or call/text Kathleen Burns (503-510-2662).

If you or a loved one needs help for an eating disorder, call the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) helpline at 800-931-2237, or visit this website for information and to find resources in your area.

Download and print the flyer below using the “Download” link at the bottom.