School-Based Eating Disorders Prevention Program
Eating Disorders are diseases of isolation; they disrupt every part of an individual’s life. Disordered eating patterns, as well as diagnosable cases of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder are progressive, chronic and sometimes fatal.
FREED’s school-based prevention program is designed to inform and empower all members of the school community in their understanding of body, weight, size and related issues connected to disordered eating and eating disorders.
Participants acquire the skills and knowledge to build resiliency in the face of unrelenting societal and internal pressures, while also gaining information about resources in order to help the people they care about. We want our students to understand what a healthy relationship with body, food and exercise looks like, and to be part of building and maintaining a healthy school climate.
Thank you for coming to our class. Your time meant a lot to all of us. Eating disorders aren’t talked about enough and what you do is amazing. Thank you for sharing your stories with us and for listening to mine.
Thank you so much for teaching my class more about eating disorders… I feel more comfortable talking about it now. I can finally help friends who are struggling with their weight and body image. You are a good teacher and I hope you keep on inspiring kids.
Disordered-Eating Patterns and Eating Disorders Are Preventable
Providing expert disordered eating prevention education is a small action that can make a big difference in the health of your school community. We accomplish this through:
- The teaching of up-to-date facts, trends, and the dispelling of common myths
- Cognitive dissonance exercises aimed at reducing the risk factors of internalizing the “thin ideal” and body dissatisfaction
- Activities that help to build healthy connections
- Encouragement of the use of national and local resources
- Education and practice of healthy coping skills
- Group discussion and questions
Schools We Have Visited
Our Prevention Programming Team has made presentations to over 5500 middle school and high school students.
Meet the Prevention Specialist
Her role is to provide eating disorders prevention education to school communities including students, teachers and parents.
Prevention Programming FAQs
Will giving our students information about eating disorders give them new and harmful way on thow to lose weight?