Combatting Teenage Eating Disorders: AAUW program Feb. 10
The growing problem of eating disorders among American teenagers will be the focus of an educational program Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the Sunset Theater, Elm Grove.
Robyn Hussa, President and Founder of "NORMAL in Schools" will discuss her mission to raise awareness of teenage eating disorders with members of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) at 7:30 p.m. in the Sunset Theater Community Room.
"NORMAL" is a rock 'n rolll Off-Broadway musical about a teenage girl’s battle with a serious eating disorder. The successful production and subsequent talkbacks after the performance with mental health experts brought about unexpected results: audience members and their families were inspired to admit the problem and seek treatment. Subsequent pleas from parents and children alike to bring the program into schools inspired Ms. Hussato leave New York on a mission to do just that.
In 2001 more than half of all teenage girls and nearly one-third of teenage boys in the U.S. use unhealthy weight control behaviors characteristic of eating disorders, and of the 11-13 million Americans with eating disorders, at least 1 million will die from their disorder, according to Ms. Hussa.
Hussa founded NORMAL in Schools as a nonprofit in 2007 to bring the musical and its curriculum to schools throughout the Midwest. For more information about this non-profit endeavor, check www.normalinschools.org.
For membership in AAUW or other questions about the organization, contact Branch President Barbara Lodde at 414-871-2959.
