Milken Institute School of Public Holds February 25 Event to Highlight Anorexia and Other Eating Disorders

Neesha Arter, author of the book Controlled, and other experts discuss the high rates of disordered eating in teens and young adults

Newswise — WASHINGTON, DC (February 16, 2016)—Milken Institute School of Public Health (Milken Institute SPH) at the George Washington University (GW) will hold a public forum on February 25 to address the public health problem of eating disorders. The event, to be held during National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, will feature a keynote talk by Neesha Arter, the author of the memoir, Controlled: The Worst Night of my Life and Its Aftermath. Arter will discuss her battle with anorexia, an eating disorder that developed after she was sexually assaulted at the age of 14.

Up to 30 million people in the United States have had an eating disorder at some time in their life. Teens and college-age young adults are particularly at risk for this serious health condition. Join us on February 25 for a candid discussion of the signs, symptoms and how to get help for eating disorders.

After the keynote talk there will be a Q&A with Ms. Arter followed by a panel discussion including Greg Rheault, Director of the GW Center for Student Engagement, other experts on the topic, as well as GW students who will talk about their own experiences with eating disorders. Melissa Napolitano, PhD, an associate professor of prevention and community health at Milken Institute SPH, will moderate the panel discussion. Professor Napolitano is a psychologist who will talk about risk factors for eating disorders and how to develop healthier eating habits.

In addition to the event on February 25, GW will host a week-long series of events to raise awareness of eating disorders. View the National Eating Disorders Awareness Week agenda for a complete list of events being held on the GW campus.

EVENT: An Evening with Neesha ArterWHEN: February 25, 2015; 7:30-9:00 p.m.WHERE: Milken Institute School of Public Health B100A Auditorium 950 New Hampshire Avenue, NW Washington, DC

MEDIA: The event is free but media must register and contact Kathy Fackelmann at 202-994-8354 or [email protected].

About Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University: Established in July 1997 as the School of Public Health and Health Services, Milken Institute School of Public Health is the only school of public health in the nation’s capital. Today, more than 1,700 students from almost every U.S. state and 39 countries pursue undergraduate, graduate and doctoral-level degrees in public health. The school also offers an online Master of Public Health, MPH@GW, and an online Executive Master of Health Administration, MHA@GW, which allow students to pursue their degree from anywhere in the world.

Announcement for special event held on Feb 25, 2016. Neesha Arter, author of the book Controlled, and other experts discuss the high rates of disordered eating in teens and young adults -- hosted by Milken Institute School of Public Health at GWU.