Welcome to Embrace Your Genes .org!

Welcome to embraceyourgenes.org!  I’m Lynn Grefe, CEO of the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).  Embraceyourgenes.org is a partnership between NEDA and True Jeans.com.  NEDA is a not-for-profit working with a “for-profit” to break through the incessant chatter of negative body talk in the media, fashion industry, schools, streets – everywhere -- and promote the importance of feeling good about your healthy body –  no matter what your healthy shape or size.

First, a big thank you to Romney Evans, Co-founder and CEO of True Jeans, for being brave enough to join our crusade.   We are thrilled to have a jeans retailer totally embrace our genes message.  Romney got it right away and came back to us with the sensational idea for the Embrace Your Genes micro site.  We hope that you will benefit from the lively discussions planned for this blog.

We will use this space to talk about the importance of being comfortable in your genes.  What does that mean?  First, it means that your genes determine your body size.  But you know that already.  It also means that as long as you are healthy, size shouldn’t matter.  Because your size – to some extent – has been predetermined.

So why do so many people –men and women – go to such lengths to try to make themselves more thin?  Or more buff?  Do they think they are making themselves more beautiful?  What do you think?

We believe that the “culture of skinny” which is so pervasive in our world today is doing men and women, boys and girls, a big disservice.  One third of all girls 14-17 believe they are overweight and 60% are trying to lose weight.  Yes, obesity is at epidemic proportions but so is distorted body image.  Just because not all of us look like runway models or Hollywood celebrities doesn’t mean our natural size isn’t just right for us.

That’s why we are asking all of you to not only be comfortable in your genes, but to embrace your genes, take care of your body, and feel great about who you are and how you look.

NEDAwareness Week

We look forward to NEDAwareness Week, February 24 - March 1, 2008.  This is our biggest grassroots awareness event every year.  Nearly 1,000 volunteer coordinators will host events in their hometowns to inform and educate people about eating disorders and the dangers of a negative body image.

Please visit www.myneda.org to find out what is being planned in your community.  Or, better yet, sign up to host your own event.  For a very nominal fee, we will supply posters and all the information you need.  Some events currently being planned include fashion shows, panel discussions, body image workshops, Great Jeans Givewaways, candle light vigils, and more.   NEDA will try to help bring national and regional media attention to events happening that week.

Please email me at lgrefe at myneda.org if you have a question about NEDA, NEDAwareness Week, or if you want me to discuss a specific topic on this blog.

This is my first blogging adventure  -- I’d love your feedback.