Latest news with #ButterflyFoundation
ABC News
14 hours ago
- Health
- ABC News
Eating disorder research and funding falling behind
New research published today is calling for a drastic re-think of how we research and treat eating disorders with current treatments for anorexia nervosa now decades old and only effective in about half of all patients. Breakthroughs have been few and far between in recent years and the need for updated funding and treatment has never been more critical with anorexia nervosa having one of the highest premature death rates of any mental illness. Guest: Associate Professor Andrea Phillipou, Principal Research Fellow in Eating Disorders at Orygen and The Centre for Youth Mental Health at The University of Melbourne Associate Professor Andrea Phillipou, Principal Research Fellow in Eating Disorders at Orygen and The Centre for Youth Mental Health at The University of Melbourne Producer: Grace Stranger If this conversation has raised any issues for you, help is available: Butterfly Foundation National Helpline on 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) Lifeline on 13 11 14
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
Women's crossfit bonanza supporting Butterfly Foundation for eating disorders
IN a colourful display of strength and power, hundreds of women gathered in Cameron Park to take part in a crossfit event described as the world's largest celebration of female movement. The Butterfly Effect Competition is the largest women-only CrossFit competition in the country, celebrating body positivity, inclusivity and raising money for the Butterfly Foundation, a charity supporting those suffering from eating disorders. Organisers say the event, which was held at CrossFit Life Athletic, is more than a competition, that it is a movement championing inclusivity, body positivity, and personal growth, welcoming athletes of all backgrounds and abilities. Butterfly Effect events take place all over Australia, as well as in Singapore, New Zealand and Dubai. The format involves teams of three across three divisions, tackling four workouts over the course of the day that have been released months in advance to give participants plenty of time to prepare. More than 300 athletes registered to attend, and 600 spectators were expected to cheer them on. The Butterfly Effect began in 2016 as a female-only fitness competition, created to raise awareness about negative body image and eating disorders. It is a cause close to founder Rowena Calderwood's heart. As a young child, her mother suffered with anorexia, surviving off multiple cups of coffee a day and cigarettes. In her early twenties, Ms Calderwood became homeless, living off bread, jam and scraps off people's plates at cafes. It was during this challenging season that she began to appreciate and value food, and promised herself if she could get out of this difficult situation, she would never take food or health for granted again. Today's event was "amazing", she said, loud and full of good vibes. "It's a community event but it's part of an event series," Ms Calderwood said. "There will be 6,000 people competing worldwide and the next one is in Auckland." IN a colourful display of strength and power, hundreds of women gathered in Cameron Park to take part in a crossfit event described as the world's largest celebration of female movement. The Butterfly Effect Competition is the largest women-only CrossFit competition in the country, celebrating body positivity, inclusivity and raising money for the Butterfly Foundation, a charity supporting those suffering from eating disorders. Organisers say the event, which was held at CrossFit Life Athletic, is more than a competition, that it is a movement championing inclusivity, body positivity, and personal growth, welcoming athletes of all backgrounds and abilities. Butterfly Effect events take place all over Australia, as well as in Singapore, New Zealand and Dubai. The format involves teams of three across three divisions, tackling four workouts over the course of the day that have been released months in advance to give participants plenty of time to prepare. More than 300 athletes registered to attend, and 600 spectators were expected to cheer them on. The Butterfly Effect began in 2016 as a female-only fitness competition, created to raise awareness about negative body image and eating disorders. It is a cause close to founder Rowena Calderwood's heart. As a young child, her mother suffered with anorexia, surviving off multiple cups of coffee a day and cigarettes. In her early twenties, Ms Calderwood became homeless, living off bread, jam and scraps off people's plates at cafes. It was during this challenging season that she began to appreciate and value food, and promised herself if she could get out of this difficult situation, she would never take food or health for granted again. Today's event was "amazing", she said, loud and full of good vibes. "It's a community event but it's part of an event series," Ms Calderwood said. "There will be 6,000 people competing worldwide and the next one is in Auckland." IN a colourful display of strength and power, hundreds of women gathered in Cameron Park to take part in a crossfit event described as the world's largest celebration of female movement. The Butterfly Effect Competition is the largest women-only CrossFit competition in the country, celebrating body positivity, inclusivity and raising money for the Butterfly Foundation, a charity supporting those suffering from eating disorders. Organisers say the event, which was held at CrossFit Life Athletic, is more than a competition, that it is a movement championing inclusivity, body positivity, and personal growth, welcoming athletes of all backgrounds and abilities. Butterfly Effect events take place all over Australia, as well as in Singapore, New Zealand and Dubai. The format involves teams of three across three divisions, tackling four workouts over the course of the day that have been released months in advance to give participants plenty of time to prepare. More than 300 athletes registered to attend, and 600 spectators were expected to cheer them on. The Butterfly Effect began in 2016 as a female-only fitness competition, created to raise awareness about negative body image and eating disorders. It is a cause close to founder Rowena Calderwood's heart. As a young child, her mother suffered with anorexia, surviving off multiple cups of coffee a day and cigarettes. In her early twenties, Ms Calderwood became homeless, living off bread, jam and scraps off people's plates at cafes. It was during this challenging season that she began to appreciate and value food, and promised herself if she could get out of this difficult situation, she would never take food or health for granted again. Today's event was "amazing", she said, loud and full of good vibes. "It's a community event but it's part of an event series," Ms Calderwood said. "There will be 6,000 people competing worldwide and the next one is in Auckland." IN a colourful display of strength and power, hundreds of women gathered in Cameron Park to take part in a crossfit event described as the world's largest celebration of female movement. The Butterfly Effect Competition is the largest women-only CrossFit competition in the country, celebrating body positivity, inclusivity and raising money for the Butterfly Foundation, a charity supporting those suffering from eating disorders. Organisers say the event, which was held at CrossFit Life Athletic, is more than a competition, that it is a movement championing inclusivity, body positivity, and personal growth, welcoming athletes of all backgrounds and abilities. Butterfly Effect events take place all over Australia, as well as in Singapore, New Zealand and Dubai. The format involves teams of three across three divisions, tackling four workouts over the course of the day that have been released months in advance to give participants plenty of time to prepare. More than 300 athletes registered to attend, and 600 spectators were expected to cheer them on. The Butterfly Effect began in 2016 as a female-only fitness competition, created to raise awareness about negative body image and eating disorders. It is a cause close to founder Rowena Calderwood's heart. As a young child, her mother suffered with anorexia, surviving off multiple cups of coffee a day and cigarettes. In her early twenties, Ms Calderwood became homeless, living off bread, jam and scraps off people's plates at cafes. It was during this challenging season that she began to appreciate and value food, and promised herself if she could get out of this difficult situation, she would never take food or health for granted again. Today's event was "amazing", she said, loud and full of good vibes. "It's a community event but it's part of an event series," Ms Calderwood said. "There will be 6,000 people competing worldwide and the next one is in Auckland."
West Australian
27-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Editorial: Eating disorder crisis is plaguing kids and stealing childhoods
Children, as young as seven, starving themselves. Boys who exercise themselves to exhaustion, obsessed with attaining the perfect physique. Girls who send photographs of themselves to friends to scrutinise, poring over them for 'imperfections', the lumps and bumps of impending womanhood problems to be wished away. Young adults who obsess over eating 'clean', or who lurch from diet fad to diet fad, distorting their relationship with food and depriving themselves of nutrients in the process. Kids who should think of their bodies only in terms of their function — their ability to run, jump, play — comparing themselves to the Ozempic-aided super frail frames of celebrities and finding themselves wanting. These are the new faces of our national body image crisis. It's an issue that touches every family with young people in some way, whether they realise it or not. The harm comes on a spectrum. On the mild end, it's the teenager who looks at themselves in dissatisfaction, wishing they were just a bit thinner, a bit taller or a bit more muscular. At the extreme end, it's children being admitted to hospital for severe anorexia, bulimia or exercise addiction. Those kids at the extreme end of the spectrum are turning up more and more in our hospitals and medical clinics, brought there by desperately worried parents. Unless you've been there yourself, it's impossible to imagine the heartbreak these parents feel as they watch their children literally fade away before them. They're powerless to help their kids break out of the prison that is the hatred they feel towards their own bodies. This isn't a new problem. We've known about the dangers of distorted body image for decades. The drivers have shifted. It's no longer glossy magazines pointing out in lurid detail every 'flaw' on a celebrity's body. It's online, on dedicated 'pro-ana' communities, and it's the avalanche of images on their Instagram and TikTok feeds that reinforce the notion that they aren't good enough. And, in some cases, it's us. It's the parent who complains about their weight creep, and announces a new diet or exercise regimen. And it can be the school that heavily polices the content of lunchboxes, inadvertently teaching kids that food can be 'bad' and something to be feared. These well-meaning interventions and casual comments can have an impact far greater — and more dangerous — than we realise. It's a wicked challenge, and all of us with young people in our lives play a role in addressing it. Better training for educators in our schools, better resources treatment centres in our health systems, and greater awareness among parents of the dangers and drivers. Butterfly Foundation 1800 ED HOPE Lifeline 13 11 14
The Advertiser
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
Fresh bid to solve causes behind eating disorders
Elise Griffin still remembers when she first began restricting her food intake and increasing her workouts, after an offhand comment from a family member about her stomach. She was just 12 and quickly became hyper-critical of her body. In the years that followed, she was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, a condition that gradually worsened, persisting through high school and into early adulthood, as well as lingering in the wake of her first relationship break-up. "I had no tools or anything to really deal with my anxiety. I turned to the one thing that would create a sense of control and calm in the chaos," she told AAP. At 19 she dropped to her lowest weight and became extremely sick. "It could have taken my life at that point," she said. It wasn't until a second relapse in her early 30s that she began to accept her illness. "I had a much greater level of self-awareness and I didn't want that in my life. I was able to really hear the voices that were my eating disorder and become aware of that," she said. Now 39, Ms Griffin is sharing her story as part of a national call for thousands of volunteers to join the world's largest genetic study into the risk factors behind complex eating disorders. Triple Olympian Lisa Curry is leading the call after the death of her beloved 33-year-old daughter Jaimi, who was trapped in an eating disorder for 18 years. "Individuals and families affected deserve answers, earlier intervention, and personalised treatments that work," Curry said. The Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative will bring together global experts to help unravel the complex genetic and environmental puzzle behind eating disorders. "Identifying the genes that predispose people to eating disorders will revolutionise future research into causes, treatment and prevention of the illnesses," Sarah Maguire, co-investigator on the study said. The research aims to expand on previous work with a larger sample size to better understand genetic risks, vulnerabilities and protective factors, which could lead to earlier and personalised treatment. "It is probably the single most important research study in eating disorders going on anywhere in the world," Professor Maguire added. "This is the study that can yield a pathway forward." More than 1.1 million Australians have an eating disorder, according to a 2023-24 report by the Butterfly Foundation. Ms Griffin, who works as a breathwork and meditation facilitator, hopes that number will drop with more awareness and research. "Perhaps if I had an understanding that there could have been a genetic predisposition to an eating disorder, that I could have had the tools in place," she said. Researchers aim to recruit more than 4000 Australians, including people with a lived experience along with a control group, who have never had an eating disorder aged 40 or older, by December 31. People who are interested in volunteering or learning more are encouraged to visit the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative website. Lifeline 13 11 14 Butterfly Foundation 1800 334 673 Elise Griffin still remembers when she first began restricting her food intake and increasing her workouts, after an offhand comment from a family member about her stomach. She was just 12 and quickly became hyper-critical of her body. In the years that followed, she was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, a condition that gradually worsened, persisting through high school and into early adulthood, as well as lingering in the wake of her first relationship break-up. "I had no tools or anything to really deal with my anxiety. I turned to the one thing that would create a sense of control and calm in the chaos," she told AAP. At 19 she dropped to her lowest weight and became extremely sick. "It could have taken my life at that point," she said. It wasn't until a second relapse in her early 30s that she began to accept her illness. "I had a much greater level of self-awareness and I didn't want that in my life. I was able to really hear the voices that were my eating disorder and become aware of that," she said. Now 39, Ms Griffin is sharing her story as part of a national call for thousands of volunteers to join the world's largest genetic study into the risk factors behind complex eating disorders. Triple Olympian Lisa Curry is leading the call after the death of her beloved 33-year-old daughter Jaimi, who was trapped in an eating disorder for 18 years. "Individuals and families affected deserve answers, earlier intervention, and personalised treatments that work," Curry said. The Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative will bring together global experts to help unravel the complex genetic and environmental puzzle behind eating disorders. "Identifying the genes that predispose people to eating disorders will revolutionise future research into causes, treatment and prevention of the illnesses," Sarah Maguire, co-investigator on the study said. The research aims to expand on previous work with a larger sample size to better understand genetic risks, vulnerabilities and protective factors, which could lead to earlier and personalised treatment. "It is probably the single most important research study in eating disorders going on anywhere in the world," Professor Maguire added. "This is the study that can yield a pathway forward." More than 1.1 million Australians have an eating disorder, according to a 2023-24 report by the Butterfly Foundation. Ms Griffin, who works as a breathwork and meditation facilitator, hopes that number will drop with more awareness and research. "Perhaps if I had an understanding that there could have been a genetic predisposition to an eating disorder, that I could have had the tools in place," she said. Researchers aim to recruit more than 4000 Australians, including people with a lived experience along with a control group, who have never had an eating disorder aged 40 or older, by December 31. People who are interested in volunteering or learning more are encouraged to visit the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative website. Lifeline 13 11 14 Butterfly Foundation 1800 334 673 Elise Griffin still remembers when she first began restricting her food intake and increasing her workouts, after an offhand comment from a family member about her stomach. She was just 12 and quickly became hyper-critical of her body. In the years that followed, she was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, a condition that gradually worsened, persisting through high school and into early adulthood, as well as lingering in the wake of her first relationship break-up. "I had no tools or anything to really deal with my anxiety. I turned to the one thing that would create a sense of control and calm in the chaos," she told AAP. At 19 she dropped to her lowest weight and became extremely sick. "It could have taken my life at that point," she said. It wasn't until a second relapse in her early 30s that she began to accept her illness. "I had a much greater level of self-awareness and I didn't want that in my life. I was able to really hear the voices that were my eating disorder and become aware of that," she said. Now 39, Ms Griffin is sharing her story as part of a national call for thousands of volunteers to join the world's largest genetic study into the risk factors behind complex eating disorders. Triple Olympian Lisa Curry is leading the call after the death of her beloved 33-year-old daughter Jaimi, who was trapped in an eating disorder for 18 years. "Individuals and families affected deserve answers, earlier intervention, and personalised treatments that work," Curry said. The Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative will bring together global experts to help unravel the complex genetic and environmental puzzle behind eating disorders. "Identifying the genes that predispose people to eating disorders will revolutionise future research into causes, treatment and prevention of the illnesses," Sarah Maguire, co-investigator on the study said. The research aims to expand on previous work with a larger sample size to better understand genetic risks, vulnerabilities and protective factors, which could lead to earlier and personalised treatment. "It is probably the single most important research study in eating disorders going on anywhere in the world," Professor Maguire added. "This is the study that can yield a pathway forward." More than 1.1 million Australians have an eating disorder, according to a 2023-24 report by the Butterfly Foundation. Ms Griffin, who works as a breathwork and meditation facilitator, hopes that number will drop with more awareness and research. "Perhaps if I had an understanding that there could have been a genetic predisposition to an eating disorder, that I could have had the tools in place," she said. Researchers aim to recruit more than 4000 Australians, including people with a lived experience along with a control group, who have never had an eating disorder aged 40 or older, by December 31. People who are interested in volunteering or learning more are encouraged to visit the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative website. Lifeline 13 11 14 Butterfly Foundation 1800 334 673 Elise Griffin still remembers when she first began restricting her food intake and increasing her workouts, after an offhand comment from a family member about her stomach. She was just 12 and quickly became hyper-critical of her body. In the years that followed, she was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, a condition that gradually worsened, persisting through high school and into early adulthood, as well as lingering in the wake of her first relationship break-up. "I had no tools or anything to really deal with my anxiety. I turned to the one thing that would create a sense of control and calm in the chaos," she told AAP. At 19 she dropped to her lowest weight and became extremely sick. "It could have taken my life at that point," she said. It wasn't until a second relapse in her early 30s that she began to accept her illness. "I had a much greater level of self-awareness and I didn't want that in my life. I was able to really hear the voices that were my eating disorder and become aware of that," she said. Now 39, Ms Griffin is sharing her story as part of a national call for thousands of volunteers to join the world's largest genetic study into the risk factors behind complex eating disorders. Triple Olympian Lisa Curry is leading the call after the death of her beloved 33-year-old daughter Jaimi, who was trapped in an eating disorder for 18 years. "Individuals and families affected deserve answers, earlier intervention, and personalised treatments that work," Curry said. The Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative will bring together global experts to help unravel the complex genetic and environmental puzzle behind eating disorders. "Identifying the genes that predispose people to eating disorders will revolutionise future research into causes, treatment and prevention of the illnesses," Sarah Maguire, co-investigator on the study said. The research aims to expand on previous work with a larger sample size to better understand genetic risks, vulnerabilities and protective factors, which could lead to earlier and personalised treatment. "It is probably the single most important research study in eating disorders going on anywhere in the world," Professor Maguire added. "This is the study that can yield a pathway forward." More than 1.1 million Australians have an eating disorder, according to a 2023-24 report by the Butterfly Foundation. Ms Griffin, who works as a breathwork and meditation facilitator, hopes that number will drop with more awareness and research. "Perhaps if I had an understanding that there could have been a genetic predisposition to an eating disorder, that I could have had the tools in place," she said. Researchers aim to recruit more than 4000 Australians, including people with a lived experience along with a control group, who have never had an eating disorder aged 40 or older, by December 31. People who are interested in volunteering or learning more are encouraged to visit the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative website. Lifeline 13 11 14 Butterfly Foundation 1800 334 673
Perth Now
19-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Fresh bid to solve causes behind eating disorders
Elise Griffin still remembers when she first began restricting her food intake and increasing her workouts, after an offhand comment from a family member about her stomach. She was just 12 and quickly became hyper-critical of her body. In the years that followed, she was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, a condition that gradually worsened, persisting through high school and into early adulthood, as well as lingering in the wake of her first relationship break-up. "I had no tools or anything to really deal with my anxiety. I turned to the one thing that would create a sense of control and calm in the chaos," she told AAP. At 19 she dropped to her lowest weight and became extremely sick. "It could have taken my life at that point," she said. It wasn't until a second relapse in her early 30s that she began to accept her illness. "I had a much greater level of self-awareness and I didn't want that in my life. I was able to really hear the voices that were my eating disorder and become aware of that," she said. Now 39, Ms Griffin is sharing her story as part of a national call for thousands of volunteers to join the world's largest genetic study into the risk factors behind complex eating disorders. Triple Olympian Lisa Curry is leading the call after the death of her beloved 33-year-old daughter Jaimi, who was trapped in an eating disorder for 18 years. "Individuals and families affected deserve answers, earlier intervention, and personalised treatments that work," Curry said. The Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative will bring together global experts to help unravel the complex genetic and environmental puzzle behind eating disorders. "Identifying the genes that predispose people to eating disorders will revolutionise future research into causes, treatment and prevention of the illnesses," Sarah Maguire, co-investigator on the study said. The research aims to expand on previous work with a larger sample size to better understand genetic risks, vulnerabilities and protective factors, which could lead to earlier and personalised treatment. "It is probably the single most important research study in eating disorders going on anywhere in the world," Professor Maguire added. "This is the study that can yield a pathway forward." More than 1.1 million Australians have an eating disorder, according to a 2023-24 report by the Butterfly Foundation. Ms Griffin, who works as a breathwork and meditation facilitator, hopes that number will drop with more awareness and research. "Perhaps if I had an understanding that there could have been a genetic predisposition to an eating disorder, that I could have had the tools in place," she said. Researchers aim to recruit more than 4000 Australians, including people with a lived experience along with a control group, who have never had an eating disorder aged 40 or older, by December 31. People who are interested in volunteering or learning more are encouraged to visit the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative website. Lifeline 13 11 14 Butterfly Foundation 1800 334 673
