Harrow , Middlesex
By Stephanie Zhang
Harrow Council strived to promote a healthier esthetic concept for the younger generation through the host of a “Young, fat & fabulous” thematic fashion show at Harrow Arts Centre on November 11, 2009. Celebrity models Kelly Brook and Agyness Deyn will be invited as guest models.
The one-of-a-kind thematic fashion show brings together on one runway of the most influential British designers paired with elite plus sized models for the first time ever. Sponsored by Top shop, and affiliated companies, the collections were created exclusively for the “Young ,fat & fabulous” campaign to raise awareness about anorexia, and other eating disorder related disease. The body-friendly fashion show will be held at noon on November 11th, at the ground floor of Harrow Arts Centre. Tickets price arranges from 5£, 10£ to 20£. The fashion show is a part of Harrow Health and Community Welfare Project that aiming to raise money for setting up a New NHS clinic in Harrow.
Models who walking for this show are some of the industry most recognized plus-sized fashion models including Hana Soukupova, Alex Wek, Frankie Rayder and Vanessa Williams, who also is the image representative for LifeWise, a health promotion campaign.
‘Young people are obsessing with the image of skinning models and Hollywood stars which is overwhelmly misleading by the media, it is our responsibility to raise the public awareness as well as converting the unhealthy concept into a health and confident self-esteem attitude. ’ Said by Michael Lockwood, Chief executive of Harrow council.
“We are honored to convene all of the fashion industry practitioners .Join us for the sole purpose of educating young people about their health risk sends a powerful message,” says Barbara Alvin, M.D., Director of Harrow Community and Environment. “We want young people across not only Harrow but the country wide to hear our united appeal loud and clear: Eating healthily and start to take steps today!”
At least 1.1 million people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder, with young people in the age-group 14-25 being most at risk of developing this type of illness.“Eating disorder is preventable if young people are informed and encouraged to talk to their parents and doctors to find out what their personal risk factors are and how to control them.” said Nancy Snyderman, M.D., Vice President, Medical Affairs. “In fact, just by making simple changes towards a healthier lifestyle, children can lower their risk of anorexia by 82 percent.”
Top shop is committed to increasing awareness among women and young girls through their next season advertisement campaigns.
For more information about “Young,fat & fabulous” thematic fashion show, please visit
www.harrow.gov.uk/youngfatfabulous.com
Background Information
Eating disorder is a condition which affects an individuals eating habits, either as a result of their own doing (self-inflicted), or as a bodily reaction to the consumption of food. Eating disorders can range from mild mental anguish to life-threatening conditions, and can affect every aspect of an individuals daily life. According to the authors of Surviving an Eating Disorder, “feelings about work, school, relationships, day-to-day activities and one’s experience of emotional well being are determined by what has or has not been eaten or by a number on a scale.”
In a survey of 600 young people with eating disorders, beat found:
Only 1 percent of children felt they could talk to their parents about their eating-related concerns.
9 percent of children felt they might be able to talk to someone at school.
17 percent of children felt they might be able to talk to a doctor or nurse.
92 percent of children felt they couldn’t tell anyone.
beat currently believes the number of people receiving treatment for anorexia or bulimia to be near to 90,000, while many more people have eating disorders undiagnosed, in particular those with bulimia nervosa.
A person with an eating disorder can recover within five years providing they receive appropriate treatment, but in some cases, the illness will persist throughout life.
Eating Disorders and the Media
71.4% of Irish adolescents feel adversely affected by media portrayal of body weight and shape, with more than a quarter (25.6%) believing it to be far too thin.
A three year study of adolescent girls in Fiji found that purging behaviours had increased from 0% to 11% within the first three years of television being introduced to the Nadroga province.
The odds of using extreme weight-control behaviours (such as vomiting or using laxatives) are 3 times higher in the highest frequency readers of magazine articles about dieting and weight-loss compared with those who did not read such magazines.
Case Study – Eating Disorders
Situation:
Although only 21, Christine has a long history of anorexia. She had been a patient in a number of NHS and independent settings, and prior to admission to a hospital in the NHS Rehab Group she was in a medical ward of a major teaching hospital, severely physically unwell, with a BMI in single figures.
Action:
At The NHS Rehab Group the initial focus was on her physical state with intensive medical, nursing and dietetic input. When this was stable a more psychotherapeutic focus was adopted, comprising both individual and family work. The team of experienced doctors and nurses from The Huntercombe Hospital under the guidance of a Consultant Psychologist, ensured a treatment programme tailored to her needs was followed.
Outcome:
In the latter stages of her six-month stay, Christine prepared for discharge to independent living and occupational therapy input was of particular value at this point. The NHS Rehab Group liaised closely with local NHS services – the eating disorders outpatient team which would take over community care and the alcohol problems team, given Christine’s previous co-morbidity with alcohol misuse. In addition, liaison with a housing agency led to the allocation of a single tenancy and, with the local authority, led to a package of social work support being organised.
Summary:
This case study illustrates The NHS Rehab Group’s place in the treatment of a very severely affected individual and also demonstrates best practice amongst the independent, statutory and voluntary sectors.
Images
Video
Press release contact information
Councillor Joanna JonesHarrow Council
Director of Community and Environment Voice:0776 0585 406
Email:joannajones@gmail.com
Website: www.harrow.gov.uk
