Talk It Out

Gr 7 Up—Using narration over video images, expert witnesses, and testimony from a young woman recovering from an eating disorder, these three programs explain the symptoms, causes, and treatment of eating disorders. Two professional social workers appear on-camera to define eating disorders, describe the causes, and advise what should be done to combat the disorders. They also explain that not all eating and exercise anomalies are eating disorders. As the narrator expands on the social workers' statements, video of various patients is shown. One young girl looks obsessively in the mirror at her abdomen and hips. A young man is shown pumping iron, possibly exercising too much. Another young woman is lying on a couch hugging a pillow and looking lethargic. These and other images portray possible symptoms of eating disorders. Suzanne, a young woman who describes herself as in recovery for one year after suffering from an eating disorder for 13 years, explains the onset of her eating disorder and her journey to recovery. It is emphasized that getting help from a trusted adult who can find an appropriate treatment program is the first step to getting better. Much of the video footage, narration, and testimony are redundant in all three programs. Any one of them would be appropriate for health classes.—Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Prep., San Jose, CA