National Eating Disorders Association Hosts Its 1st Teen Summit

Online, October 11, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) will host its inaugural teen summit, Making Real the New Ideal: Body Image, Self-Esteem & Media, Saturday, Oct. 15, taking place concurrently with NEDA's ninth annual conference, being held this year in Los Angeles, Calif., Oct. 13-15.

Teens (ages 13-17) will help identify top issues impacting them and their peers, relating to teen body image, self-esteem and eating disorders. The program will also strive to inspire teens to learn to be leaders in their communities. NEDA's Junior Board has sponsored and developed this concept and we are making it a reality.

WHAT: Inaugural teen summit, Making Real the New Ideal: Body Image, Self-Esteem & Media

WHEN: Sat., Oct. 15, 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Lunch included)

WHERE: Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa, 1755 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood
(just north of Hollywood Blvd.). To register and for more information, visit http://myneda.org/teen-summit. Registration is free. Lunch will be provided.

The keynote speaker and panel moderator will be Jessica Weiner, Dove's global ambassador for self-esteem, a Seventeen magazine columnist, founder of the Actionist Network and author. She will lead an interactive panel of noted young advocates, including Lisa Lee, co-founder of ThickDumplingSkin.com and former publisher of Hyphen Magazine; Emily-Anne Rigal, founder of WeStopHate.org, assistant editor for AllyKatzz.com and Seventeen magazine's "Body Peace Breakthrough" winner; and Troy Roness, NEDA Junior Board member and eating disorders advocate. Facilitating the workshop is Claire Mysko, author, internationally known expert on body image, leadership and media literacy and project consultant of NEDA's soon-to-be-launched Proud2Bme teen website.

The event will also feature a special performance by singer, speaker, author and NEDA ambassador Jenni Schaefer; Bailey Monarch will receive NEDA's 2011 "Robbie Munn Volunteer of the Year" award; and closing remarks will be made by Chenese Lewis, expert commentator, Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) ambassador, Fed Up Inc. celebrity ambassador and president of Hollywood NOW.

Sponsored by Paige Premium Denim, attendees will have a chance to win a free Flip video camera, iPod Shuffle or digital camera!

Also during the teen summit, NEDA will unveil its new website, Proud2Bme.org, which is dedicated to promoting healthy attitudes about food, weight and body image, targeting teens and young adults. The site will provide youth with a positive, fun, interactive environment to learn, connect with others and take action for personal and social change-especially the many teens with body image issues or who have (or are at risk of developing) eating disorders. Through engaging content and community features, this unique online space will offer news about entertainment, fashion, beauty and other relevant pop culture in a safe, age-appropriate environment. Additionally, there will be forums and chat rooms where teens are able to interact and make new friends. Under the direction of Mysko, several teens will act in an ongoing editorial advisory capacity to the site.

Commented Lynn Grefe, president and CEO of NEDA, "I am very excited to launch our very first teen summit and the Proud2Bme website. It's high time we seriously listen to their concerns - from issues of body confidence to their understanding and views of society and media - and to give them a safe, positive environment in which to interact online. We can learn a lot and I can't wait to hear what they have to say!"

Proud2Bme was made possible through partnerships with Rivierduinen (The Netherlands), JPMorgan Chase, Globant (Argentina), the Hilda & Preston Davis Foundation and the University of Delaware.

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), headquartered in New York City, is the leading U.S. non-profit organization supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care. Each year, NEDA helps millions of people across the country find information and appropriate treatment resources through its toll-free, live helpline, its many outreach programs and website. NEDA advocates for advancements in the field and envisions a world without eating disorders. For more information, visit www.NationalEatingDisorders.org

For Treatment Referrals, Visit www.NationalEatingDisorders.org
Or Contact NEDA's Live Helpline: 800-931-2237
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (EST)

Contacts:
Greenleaf & Associates - 323-660-5800
Vicki Greenleaf - [email protected]
Karen Brundage - [email protected]

Available for Interviews:
• Lynn Grefe, president and CEO of NEDA
• Jessica Weiner and other panelists