NBC’s “This is Us” is one of the hottest new television shows – providing a unique look into body image and weight stigma. To break down what this means for the eating disorders community, Walden’s CEO Dr. Stuart Koman joined us for our latest Facebook Live.
Some takeaways:
- Kate’s character is refreshing. It is not often that a female living in a larger body is portrayed in such a real way. While she visibly struggles in dealing with her insecurities about living in a larger body, she is also shown as a strong, smart, funny and loyal character with whom her family adores and relies on.
- Depriving ourselves of food labeled as “bad” is going to make us more likely to crave that food. Eating a variety of foods including “fun foods” is important to our overall mental and physical health. It’s all about balance!
- While bariatric surgery is an option to optimize health and well being for many people, it doesn’t work for everyone. It is important to speak to your healthcare providers, including a mental health provider to discuss this life changing decision together. Often, the issues “behind the weight” are what need to be addressed before any physical changes are made.
- There are many options for treatment for any variation of eating concerns. If food is affecting your quality of life, we can help.
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Natalie Cohen is the Senior Marketing and Community Relations Associate as well as the Social Media Coordinator for Walden Behavioral Care. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Maine in Orono. Her favorite part of working at Walden is being able to act as an advocate for clients suffering with mental illnesses and interacting with other eating disorder professionals in the community. In her free time, Ms. Cohen enjoys practicing yoga and spending time with her dog, Bella.
