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We see it on TV. We hear about the newest diet trends on radio ads. We see the pictures in the magazines. And it affects us. We wonder how we fit in, how others look at ua.

But what we all need to consider is what reality looks like. People come in all different shapes and sizes. We have different body structures, different genetics. What we don't always have though is a respect for these differences.

Each of us has the ability, however, to look within ourselves and begin to value those things that make each person unique. Each of us has the ability to recognize the beauty in each and every person. And, even more than that, we have the ability to do what we can to raise awareness and to help others value those differences as well.

It's especially important for us to encourage the youth of our society to understand that their differences are what make them special. Younger and younger kids fall into the traps of image-consciousness and the pre-occupation with fitting in. Often they also are exposed to the same advertisements and perfected pictures that we see; and along with those, they are shown commercials for diet pills and products magic cures promising that life will be better if they lose extreme amounts of weight.

By developing healthy lifestyles and celebrating qualities other than appearance, we can have a positive impact. By maintaining a healthy, varied diet and exercising in moderation, we can model a balanced lifestyle. Leading by example and recognizing that our positive comments are as influential as our negative ones are simple things that we can do to create a healthy self-image. The importance of this is that it enables healthy kids to become healthy people.

Often though, this kind of early intervention is not enough to prevent an eating disorder from developing. Therefore, it is important for us all to recognize the signs and symptoms of so that early detection is more likely. The following are signs that we should all be aware of and looking for:
-Obvious weight changes that are not the result of illness
-Abnormal eating habits and rituals
-Preoccupation with losing weight or appearance
-Obsession with exercise
-Changes in mood: increased irritability, signs of depression.
Our awareness will help us to detect an disordered eating sooner. When eating disorders are recognized early, treatment begins sooner and the chances of a lasting recovery improve.

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