The body is the soul's house. Shouldn't we therefore take care of our house so that it will not fall into ruin? -Philo, 20 B.C.E.-50 C.E. Jewish Philosopher

NFTY and National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
NFTY supports National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org), February 26-March 3, 2012, to attract public and media attention to the seriousness of eating disorders and the pressures, attitudes and behaviors which contribute to them. Did you know:

• 42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner?
• 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat?
• The average American woman is 5’4" tall and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is 5’11" tall and weighs 117 pounds?
• Most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women?
• 51% of 9 and 10 year-old girls feel better about themselves if they are on a diet?
• 46% of 9-11 year-olds are "sometimes" or "very often" on diets, and
• 82% of their families are "sometimes" or "very often" on diets?
• 91% of women recently surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight through dieting, 22% dieted "often" or "always"?
• 95% of all dieters will regain their lost weight in 1-5 years?
• 35% of "normal dieters" progress to pathological dieting. Of those, 20-25% progress to partial or full-syndrome eating disorders?
• 25% of American men and 45% of American women are on a diet on any given day?
• Americans spend over $40 billion on dieting and diet-related products each year?

NFTY recognizes that eating disorders affect women and men of all ages, races and religions. Through a broad collection of information about various organizations, original articles and direct ways to reach out for help, it is our hope that we can educate our communities and help provided needed resources so that we can fulfill the Jewish value of pikuach nefesh – saving a life.