eating disorders

Air Force service members run a timed 1.5 miles during their annual physical fitness test at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois in June. The U.S. Space Force intends to do away with once-a-year assessments in favor of wearable technology.

The Space Force is scrapping the annual fitness test in favor of wearable trackers

5:01am August 02, 2022

by Eric Schmid

The new approach aims to promote overall fitness instead of focusing on specific exercises, and the devices will also give Guardians feedback about mental health, balanced eating and sleep.

There are risk factors for eating disorders that are unique to military service.

The military might be creating 'a perfect storm' for eating disorders

5:50am April 15, 2022

by Desiree D'Iorio

Studies show that veterans have a much higher risk of eating disorders than civilians. Risk factors include chaotic eating situations, weight requirements and a culture of being in control.

Student Journalists

Dispatches From Within: The one-hour special

4:59pm December 22, 2021

by Radio 101 class at R.J. Reynolds High School

At the beginning of the school year, the Radio 101 class at R.J. Reynolds high school was tasked to look into the issue of teen mental health.

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Dispatches From Within: I'm fat, I'm ugly, and I'm stupid

7:28am December 20, 2021

by Sarah Bettis, Kaeleigh Brenner and Sarah Rhoades Cox

WFDD's Radio 101 has chosen to use only the first initial of the student in the following story due to the sensitive subject matter and to protect the students' privacy.

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A recent survey found 62% of people in the U.S. with anorexia experienced a worsening of symptoms after the pandemic hit. And nearly a third of Americans with binge-eating disorder, which is far more common, reported an increase in episodes.

Eating Disorders Thrive In Anxious Times, And Pose A Lethal Threat

10:06am September 08, 2020

by Yuki Noguchi

Eating disorders strike nearly 1 in 10 Americans, with the second-highest death rate of all psychiatric disorders. The pandemic's food insecurity, stockpiling and stress are triggering flare-ups.

Author Susan Burton struggled with disordered eating for decades. "Hunger was something that I believed protected me and gave me power," she says.

From 'Empty' To 'Satisfied': Author Traces A Hunger That Food Can't Fix

4:19pm June 23, 2020

by Terry Gross

For Susan Burton, decades of disordered eating was about power. "As long as I was bingeing, I didn't have to think. I didn't have to think about any loss or pain or wanting or yearning."

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Doctors should start screening all women and girls for anxiety, according a prominent women's health group.

Health & Safety

All Women Should Be Screened For Anxiety Disorders, Health Group Says

2:52pm June 11, 2020

by Sarah McCammon

Women suffer from anxiety at nearly twice the rate of men, and a coalition of women's health groups says all teenage girls and women should be screened.

Whether it's gluten or dairy, many people avoid certain types of foods these days. Sometimes, food avoidance can take over people's lives and veer into an eating disorder that scientist are just beginning to study.

When Efforts To Eat 'Clean' Become An Unhealthy Obsession

11:20am October 07, 2019

by April Fulton

Whether it's gluten or dairy, many people avoid certain types of foods these days. Sometimes food avoidance can take over people's lives and veer into an eating disorder.

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Health & Safety

UNC Study Finds That Anorexia Is Both Metabolic And Psychiatric

3:01pm August 05, 2019

by Bethany Chafin

New research is changing the way we understand anorexia nervosa — a disorder characterized by dangerously low body we

The best help for patients struggling with addiction, eating disorders or other mental health problems sometimes includes intensive therapy, the evidence shows. But many patients still have trouble getting their health insurers to cover needed mental heal

'Mental Health Parity' Is Still An Elusive Goal In U.S. Insurance Coverage

5:00am June 07, 2019

by Graison Dangor

The Affordable Care Act and other U.S. laws sought to put insurance coverage for mental health conditions on equal footing with coverage for physical conditions. But patients say that's not happening.