From Across the Desk

Our Editorial Advisory Board works quietly behind the scenes to keep us up to date and to offer criticism and new ideas on eating disorders care. It might be a suggestion for a must-read book or the two sides in the current argument over working with a longtime patient who now refuses any further care. Dr. Pauline Powers, who has been a member of our Editorial Board since EDR’s earliest days, is now retiring. Pauline has been an invaluable asset to the newsletter, and has contributed many helpful and practical articles over the years. She also written articles for numerous journals on nearly every aspect of eating disorders, including inpatient treatment, alcohol and substance use, and dietary restriction. Pauline is co-author of the book, The Exercise Balance: What’s Too Much, What’s Too Little, and What’s Just Right for You! We wish her the best, and will miss her sharp wit and extensive knowledge.

Social media flood our computers, and a recent study has evaluated the effects of placing positive images online versus the usual “thin to win” images that have been so harmful to eating disorders patients (see “Using Body-Positive Imagery on Social Media” elsewhere in this issue). The authors saw definite positive reactions to images of positive imagery showing normal-weight persons. In another article, Swedish researchers were able to divide pregnant and new mothers into five distinctive groups, with suggestions about effective treatment for each group (see “Severe Eating Disorders During Pregnancy and Early Motherhood”).

—MKS