Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital:
“Eating disorders are prevalent on college campuses, and Stanford is no exception”
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford is gearing up for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Feb. 21 – 27. The hospital's Comprehensive Eating Disorders Program is reaching out to Bay Area families to enhance knowledge of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and related diagnoses.
On Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m., Packard Children's will host a community symposium, “It’s Time to Talk About It,” an event designed to help parents learn the warning signs of eating disorders and understand the process for seeking help when a child, adolescent or young adult needs treatment.
"It’s a chance for parents to interact with experts whose work is dedicated to of the treatment of eating disorders," said James Lock, MD, PhD, eating disorders researcher and director of psychiatric services in the Comprehensive Eating Disorders Program. Lock is also a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
The symposium, including a question and answer session, will be held in the Packard Children's auditorium and feature presentations by hospital experts:
- Lock will present the latest treatment options for eating disorders, with emphasis on how families can help their child recover.
- Neville Golden, MD, division chief of adolescent medicine and professor of pediatrics at Stanford, will discuss the risks and warning signs of an eating disorder.
- Thea Kapphahn, MD, medical director of the Comprehensive Eating Disorders Program, will explain the acute and chronic health impacts of eating disorders.
- Psychologist Kara Fitzpatrick, PhD, will present new insights into the neurobiological basis of eating disorders.
“Packard has a wealth of clinical and research experience in the treatment of children and adolescents with eating disorders,” said Golden, “and it’s important to share this information with the community.”