Newswise — Reston, VA, February 24, 2015. Eating disorders can be lethal, cost millions of dollars to treat annually, and affect individuals across the globe. The Academy for Eating Disorders (AED), a global professional association committed to leadership in eating disorders research, education, treatment, and prevention, has announced their keynote speaker for the annual International Conference on Eating Disorders (ICED), May 5-7, 2016, in San Francisco, CA.

In her keynote, Untapped Potential: Could Working With Business Offer the Elusive Key to Unlocking Body Image Advocacy at Scale?, Meaghan E. Ramsey, Global Director of the Dove Self-Esteem Project, will speak about the role of business in promoting healthy body image on a global scale. Using her work with industry as an example, Ramsey's keynote will highlight how businesses and brands can advocate not just for positive body image but also other health concerns. "Meaghan Ramsey's keynote will provide important lessons regarding strategies to collaborate effectively with business that we hope will spur new partnerships aimed at addressing eating disorders directly" stated Dr. Carolyn Becker, president of the AED.

Promoting healthy body image is only one factor in eating disorder risk factor reduction and prevention, and the AED aims to advance knowledge about multiple factors that have the potential to mitigate the impact of eating disorders worldwide. The ICED program also includes a session on the integration of biology in prevention efforts.

The Brave New World of Integrating Knowledge and Practice Regarding Eating Disorders Biology and Prevention will bring together international experts to investigate how prevention efforts might be tailored based on biological risk status. Drs. Corinna Jacobi (Germany), Eric Stice (United States), Jay Belsky (United States), and Tracey Wade (Australia) will present research findings on both biological and sociocultural risk factors for eating disorders and provide direction for a productive and collaborative integration of these fields.

More information about the full ICED 2016 program is accessible on the AED website (www.aedweb.org).

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The Academy for Eating Disorders (AED) is an international professional association committed to leadership in eating disorders research, education, treatment, and prevention. The goal of the AED is to provide global access to knowledge, research, and best treatment practice for eating disorders. For additional information, please contact Elissa Myers at (703) 626-9087 or visit the AED website at www.aedweb.org.