Happiness isn't about your looks

Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D.

This is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, which helps bring awareness to life-threatening illnesses that strike at least 10 million women and 1 million men in the alone.

Because of the shame and secretiveness associated with eating disorders, many millions more are most likely affected.

The most commonly known eating disorder is anorexia nervosa, which is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. The disease cost singer Karen Carpenter her life. Some people feel that her death brought public awareness to a previously little understood and potentially fatal malady.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the mortality rate associated with anorexia nervosa for females ages 15 to 24 is 12 times higher than that of any other cause.

Another potentially fatal eating disorder is bulimia, which is a cycle of binge eating and purging (self-induced vomiting or excessive exercising).

In addition to those who struggle with anorexia and/or bulimia, an additional 25 million people suffer from other manifestations, such as binge-eating disorder.

Thanks to research, treatment for eating disorders has advanced tremendously in the past decade. Still, it is estimated that only 6 percent of those with bulimia receive mental health care, while only one-third of those suffering from anorexia are in treatment.

Poor body image and low self-esteem are leading contributors to eating disorders. It's no wonder, when you understand that the average American woman is 5 feet 4 inches and weighs 140 pounds, and the average American model is 5 feet 11 and weighs 117 pounds.

Unfortunately, young people can't help but compare themselves to these images that are nearly impossible to live up to. The best thing we can do as parents, partners and friends is to reinforce the real truth: that having a happy life is about who you are as a person, not what you look like.

There are a number of good books on the subject, such as "The Overcoming Bulimia Workbook," which was written by Randi McCabe, Ph.D.

Another is "The Anorexia Diaries" by , therapist Linda Rio and her daughter Tara.

Paula Abdul - the "American Idol" judge and National Eating Disorders Association spokeswoman who struggled with anorexia and bulimia - said that she wished she had this book when she was dealing with her eating disorders.

Information and support is also available from the National Eating Disorders Association (http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/). Its toll-free helpline is 1-800-931-2237. The association offers free referrals for assistance in your area and will send you information confidentially.