Orthodox

OU Community Services

Food, Body Image, and Eating Disorders in the Jewish Community

Over the past several years, societal pressures with regard to body image have contributed to a dramatic increase in eating disorders in the Jewish community. A professional conference held in conjunction with the Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders underscored the importance of this issue this past June and the importance of addressing this problem in communities as part of our “Safe Homes, Safe Schools, Safe Shuls” initiative. We have seen this escalating problem, especially prevalent in the area of shidduchim.

As an outgrowth of the professional conference, we are planning on conducting educational workshops for parents during the year, exploring the role of hunger, shame, body dysmorphia, and self-esteem in the development of eating disorders. These programs will be led by mental health professionals and can be replicated in your community.

The Young Leadership Cabinet of the Orthodox Union developed a documentary, “Hungry to be Heard”, focusing on the rising rates of anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders in our community. It aims at providing educational awareness, prevention, and approaches to eating disorders and is available for guided screenings as part of a conference, communal program, or as a stand-alone presentation.