Information Services- Eating Disorders in

Youths

● After reading various literature on the everyday life information seeking behaviours of youths, there was an obvious pattern within the articles.

● These articles looked at where they would go to seek information on school, health and social needs, most youths demanded preference for people as information sources.

" Young people in general, do not perceive that the library media centre has a major role to play in dealing with the information needs that relate to life concerns". (Agosto, D. E., & Hughes-Hassell, S. (2005).

● Plethora of resources to meet their information needs - people, telephones, televisions, computers, libraries.

● Media sources are what youths turn to as they have a negative attitude towards libraries.

" could choose to visit “fun” sites, rather than being restricted to educational sites." (Agosto and Hughes-Hassle, 2006).

● Resources in libraries are limited for young people." many information sources and services lack strong appeal for youth. " (Urban Libraries Council, 2001).

● When searching information online it's crucial that the information being accessed by youths is reliable.

- unable to classify good and bad material.

● A reliable source needs to be accessed enabling one to then branch on to other resources.

So it was from here that we began our search for resources involving survival / safety needs, to suit the needs of young adults and eating disorders.

" Health information imparted advice and guidance rather than facts and figures or warnings." (Rolinson, J. 1998. Health and Information for the teenage years).

HSE (Health Service Executive)

● Government run organisation

● More suitable for adults seeking information to help teenagers

● Gives an outline of the different disorders and possible causes.

● Spunout.ie is a website that caters specifically to teens.

● Breaks down where to seek help in Ireland

Spunout.ie

Bodywhys.ie - Eating disorders Association of Ireland

● Suitable for all audiences - specific information for teenagers

● Variety of resources ○ online support group○ description of disorders○ men and eating disorders○ eating disorders and exams○ how and where to seek help○ external resources; book lists, websites, directory of

service providers

Bodywhys Resources

B-eat.co.uk

● "provides helplines and online support, along with a network of UK-wide self-help groups to help adults and especially young people in the UK beat their eating disorders. "

● Raises money and awareness

● Ambassador of the site is a young girl who overcame an eating disorder

(B-eat.co.uk, 2010)

The Beat - For Young People

National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)

● American based website

NEDA-

Objective - “to offer the latest information, resources, action-orientated advocacy and media campaigns to educate the public and policy makers, and most importantly a sense of community to people often feeling alone and overwhelmed in their struggle to access quality, affordable care”. (Lynn Grefe, CEO)

Non-fiction Books

Why won’t Kim eat? by Janine Amos.-retrieved from healthybook.org.uk

'This text provides hard-hitting, yet accessible approach to what happens to your body and your psyche when you suffer from an eating disorder'.(Byrnes, 2010)

Eating Disorders by Tammy Laser & Stephanie Watson

'Students get different eating disorders confused and this book will be an instrument in teaching which is which and how they sometimes overlap'.

'This book mentions the desire to be perfect and to have control over one aspect in life.... this book will be a great guide for middle and high school girls'(Goodreads, 2011)

Fiction Books

● Skin by Adrienne Maria Vrettos.-retrieved from Goodreads.com

'A Marvelous debut featuring an unforgettable character whose affective voice captures the ill-effects of psychological disorders on families'

'First time novelist Vrettos finds a fresh angle for a familir topic by focusing her story about Karen, an anorexic and Donnie, her younger brother'(Kirkus Review, 2006)

● Brave Girl Eating by Harriet Brown

'What sets this book apart is the author's incorporation iof clinical research findings from the field of eating disorders into the story of one family’s struggle . . . [A] compelling story of family strength and an inspiring story for all of us committed to treating individuals with eating disorders.” (Evelyn Attia, MD, Director, Center for Eating Disorders, Columbia University)

Film- Perfect Body (1997)● young girl who is a gymnast ● Coach constantly at her about her weight.● "You can eat what you want, and not gain a pound”. ● Ends up in hospital due to Anorexia.● Finally joins a support group.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb8WPHs9Dn4