Objectives

The BEDA national conference presents workshop sessions that aim to:

• Educate participants on the most recent advances in research and clinical practices relevant to the theme
  
  
• Establish and enhance knowledge and skills for working with BED and its associated conditions/symptoms
  
  
• Disseminate information about emerging and promising practices.
  
  
• Describe methods to increase awareness, navigate treatment and payment options, and effectively communicate via advocacy efforts.
  
  
• Encourage collaboration amongst advocacy, academic, and clinical organizations and individuals and their families to provide public health information concerning recognition, prevention, treatment, and recovery.
  
  
• Provide individuals, families, advocates and others with the resources, information, and tools they can use to help themselves or others find recovery

Three tracks will be offered at the conference. 1) research and clinical education for treatment providers, 2) education, advocacy and outreach for individuals, families/friends and advocates and 3) general interest topics for treatment providers and advocates.

 

Topic Areas

Workshops will focus on and be applicable to BED and its associated conditions and symptoms. These may include but are not limited to compulsive/emotional overeating, food addiction, overweight & obesity, weight stigma & discrimination, and co-morbid psychological and physical conditions.

The BEDA conference planning committee has developed a list of topics about which they are particularly interested in receiving proposals. Other topics will be considered.

• BED and weight, particularly:

-- What, if any, is the role between weight, health, and recovery from BED?

-- How does weight cycling affect health?

-- How does weight stabilization play a role in health and recovery?

-- The many facets of weight stigma and/or discrimination

-- The “war on obesity” and what it means for BED & associated disorders/conditions treatment?

• BED as a psychiatric disorder, as a food addiction, or both; treatment implications, similarities, and differences
  
  
• BED and attachment disorder
  
  
• Body image across the weight spectrum. How does weight stigma play a role in body image and eating disorders
  
  
• Common co-morbid conditions including trauma, ADD, OCD, addictions, mood disorders, etc
  
  
• BED in children and adolescents: how do we identify and treat?
  
  
• The effects of bullying on overweight children: how do we educate the general public, educators, healthcare providers, and others about the harm of perpetuating weight stigma?
  
  
• DSM-V and BED: Implications for practice and treatment
  
  
• Family role in prevention, treatment, and recovery, particularly: How to talk to loved ones about BED and weight
  
  
• Spirituality and recovery
  
  
• Treatment and recovery for men with BED: What are the barriers and considerations that may be unique to the male population?
  
  
• Treatment and recovery in the minority and underserved populations: what is being done to reach these communities?
  
  
• Bariatric surgery and BED: What is the risk of developing other eating disorders or addictions? Is this preventable?