With summer just around the corner, what better way to

get back in shape than to take part in the Inaugural Los Angeles NEDA (National

Eating Disorders Association) Walk this Saturday, March 2 in Santa Monica.

Themed “Save a Life,” registration will began at 10 am

at Crescent Bay Park, 2000 Ocean Avenue (just south of the Santa Monica Pier).

The event schedule is as follows: Yoga stretch warm-up

from 10 am to 10:30 am, guest speakers from 10:30 am to 11 am, walk from 11 am

to noon (Crescent Bay Park to the pier and back - less than one mile

roundtrip).

Closing remarks will be held at noon, followed by music

performed by Mallory Fay and then Carol Schiada & Company until 2 pm.

NEDA is the leading non-profit organization in the

United States advocating on behalf of and supporting individuals and families

affected by eating disorders.

Reaching millions every year, the organization campaigns

for prevention, improved access to quality treatment, and increased research

funding to better understand and treat eating disorders.

NEDA invites friends and family to spread awareness of

the seriousness of eating disorders.

Saturday’s walk in Santa Monica is being held to raise

awareness about the dangers surrounding eating disorders and the need for early

intervention and treatment.

The goal is also to raise about $50,000 to help fund

NEDA’s many important programs. Master of Ceremonies will be award-winning

eating disorder specialist and author, Carolyn Costin, with special guest,

internationally known author and speaker, Jenni Schaefer.

The event will feature face painting, games, and more.

The cost is $25 per adult, $10 per child under 12, and

$5 per pet.

To pre-register, visit www.nedawalks.org/losangeles2013

or contact 212.575.6200 or walks@myneda.org. 

Eating Disorder Statistics

• 20 million

women and 10 million men suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder

at some time, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, or an eating disorder

not otherwise specified (EDNOS).

• Four out

of 10 Americans either suffered or have known someone who has suffered from an

eating disorder.

• By age 6,

girls especially start to express concerns about their own weight or shape

• 40-60

percent of elementary school girls (ages 6-12) are concerned about their weight

or about becoming too fat. This concern endures through life.

• 46 percent

of nine- to 11-year-olds are “sometimes” or “very often” on diets and 82

percent of their families are “sometimes” or “very often” on diets.

• 35 percent

of “normal dieters” progress to pathological dieting. Of those, 20-25 percent

progress to partial or full-syndrome eating disorders.

• Over

one-half of teenage girls and one-third of teenage boys use unhealthy weight

control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes,

vomiting, and taking laxatives.

• 40 percent

of newly identified cases of anorexia are in girls 15-19 years old. 

• Eating

disorders often occur with one or more other psychiatric disorders, which can

complicate treatment and make recovery more difficult. Among those who suffer

from eating disorders, alcohol and other substance abuse disorders are four

times more common than in the general populations.

• For females between 15- and

24-years-old who suffer from anorexia nervosa, the mortality rate with the

illness is 12 times higher than the death rate of all other causes of

death.