Park Nicollet local sponsor of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Methodist Hospital Eating Disorders Institute (becoming Park Nicollet Melrose Institute March 16) is a local sponsor of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, from Sunday, Feb. 22, to Saturday, Feb. 28. The 2009 theme is "Until Eating Disorders Are History: Let our combined efforts wipe out eating disorders in our lifetimes!"

Schedule of events

Tuesday, Feb. 24: Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

• Differentiated eating disorder treatment for males and binge-eating disorder populations. Sharon Johnson, RD, LD, Methodist Hospital Eating Disorders Institute; Clinician, treatment team training for CEUs, Mary Greeley Medical Center
• Melrose Institute exhibit at Iowa State University Memorial Union

Thursday, Feb. 26: St. Louis Park City Hall

4 to 5:15 p.m. – It's the inside that counts: Preventing eating disorders and empowering strengths among youth. Diann Ackard, LP, FAED, Methodist Hospital Eating Disorders Institute; and Nancy Tellett-Royce, Search Institute Two local experts will present how recent eating disorders research is being used to understand prevention efforts, and how adults can ignite the strengths youth already possess. This entertaining and informative talk blends true stories, parental concerns and lifestyle concerns. Attendees will learn practical ways to prevent eating disorders and body dissatisfaction and enhance the strengths of children and adolescents in their homes, communities and schools.

Friday, Feb. 27: Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital Auditorium

6 to 8 p.m. – Eating Disorders Institute sponsors a free event. Hear a message of hope from author Buddy Howard, National Eating Disorders Association board member and father of a daughter who is surviving an eating disorder. Buddy encourages and passionately shares what he learned during his family's difficult journey through an eating disorder. Persistence and dogged determination helped him fight and conquer the scourge that captured his young daughter and the entire family.

Seating is limited. Call 952-993-6555 to reserve your spot.