Eating Disorders 101: The facts on how eating disorders impact youth

Language: English
Topic Age Range: School District Wide (Pre-K – 12th Grade)

Brief Description
This presentation will provide an overview of eating disorders that are common in children and teens. As part of the presentation, audience members will be able to identify hallmark symptoms of an eating disorder. The presentation will also teach caregivers, parents and the general public how to help children/teens foster a healthier relationship with food as well as with their body image in an effort to reduce disordered eating behaviors.

Date Aired: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 | 5:30 – 6:15 PM  
 
Presenter: Baleska Alfaro, LMFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, CHOC Co-Occurring Clinic and Mental Health Education Program

Presenter Bio
Baleska Alfaro is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with CHOC Children’s Co-Occurring clinic (CHOC’s outpatient mental health clinic) and a part of CHOC’s Mental Health Education Program. Baleska earned her Master’s degree in counseling psychology at Argosy University and since then has worked with victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, with children/teens diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and with individuals diagnosed with co-occurring mental health and medical conditions. She is a southern California native who is passionate about imparting education about salient mental health topics to our community.

Objectives

• Learn about eating disorders, such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, that are common among children and teens.
• Understand how to help children and teens foster a healthy relationship with food and their body image.
• Determine when a child/teen may need mental health services to address disordered eating behaviors.
• Identify eating disorder resources for further questions about eating disorder symptoms and find mental health services that specialize in treating disordered eating behaviors.