Pennsylvania is the nation's epicenter for treatment and recovery of eating disorders. Eating disorders are complex and serious psychological conditions that can affect all cultures, genders and ages, most prominently in Western countries. Body dissatisfaction and body dysphoria are the believed to be the main factors that lead to eating disorders, but the root cause of these symptoms is unknown. There are many socio-cultural factors that contribute to the epidemic. Media is often blamed for perpetuating unrealistic body standards, but along with social pressures, research shows genetics and mental illness to be influences that have led to clinically severe cases of eating disorders.

According to the National Eating Disorder Association, 20 million women and 10 million men in the United States suffer from eating disorders at some point in their lives. The most severe and common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Anorexia nervosa claims more deaths than any other psychiatric disorder.

As young as the age of 6, children, girls especially, begin to express dissatisfaction with their bodies and a fear of gaining weight. Since the 1950's, clinically significant eating disorders in girls aged 15-19 have increased every year. Resources and research have also increased. In Pennsylvania, there are over 150 treatment centers for eating disorders and dozens of support groups. There are many downloadable apps that can help sufferers address and find support for their eating disorders. Ironically, social media serves as a platform to provide both solidarity and information for sufferers, while also perpetuating the very body standards that can cause dangerous body dissatisfaction. The same article in a health or beauty magazine that addresses the issues of body dissatisfaction may be juxtaposed with a picture of a stick thin model. These contradictions illustrate the intersection of health and beauty standards that make diagnosis and recovery from eating disorders so complicated. There is a lot of work to be done, and these issues are being brought to the forefront in Pennsylvania.

Thursday's Smart Talk welcomes guests Dr. Rachel Levine, Pennsylvania's Acting Secretary of Health and the state's Physician General, Dr. Martha P. Levine, from Penn State Hershey Adolescent Medicine and Psychiatric Registered Nurse Kristen Ebaugh, initiator of a support group and survivor of eating disorders to address the topic.