Dr. Jean Kilbourne, an expert on eating disorders, addressed "The Naked Truth," on how perceptions of our bodies are affected by media images. She spoke at a meeting of the Forum of Executive Women in Philadelphia at the Union League, which was sponsored by A Chance to Heal and Independence Blue Cross.
Forum members, who attended with colleagues, daughters, sons, friends and family, took part in facilitated discussions on the challenges we face in accepting our own body images and how we can free ourselves from critical voices that do more harm than good, according to Ivy Silver, co-founder of A Chance to Heal.
Dr. Kilbourne has been what The Boston Globe described as "a superstar lecturer" for many years. She has twice received the Lecturer of the Year award from the National Association for Campus Activities. Dr. Kilbourne has made several award-winning documentary films and videos based on her lectures. Her latest publication is her book Can't Buy My Love: How Advertising Changes The Way We Think and Feel. In addition, she has written many articles, including commentary in The New York Times, USA Today and The Journal of the American Medical Women's Association. She has contributed chapters to many books, including Feminist Perspectives on Eating Disorders, Adolescent Medicine: State of the Art Reviews and TV and Teens: Experts Look at the Issues.
As many as 10 million females and 1 million males in the U.S. suffer from an eating disorder, including anorexia, bulimia or binge eating, which can lead to long-term physical damage, or even death. For those who seek treatment, financial resources are frequently exhausted before they reach recovery.
A Chance to Heal was formed in 2004 by Rachel Silver, 18, and her mother, Ivy Silver, to help those with eating disorders get the care they need by providing financial assistance when insurance coverage and personal finances are inadequate. The Foundation's goal is to raise $100,000 in its first year to provide treatment grants for patients in the Philadelphia region. Longer term, it will do so nationally. A Chance to Heal also aims to promote early diagnosis and treatment, increase public awareness of the costs of treatment, and advocate for change in financing care.
