AED Responds to “Thin”

"Thin" is an HBO documentary on four women with eating disorders, with information on eating disorders and treatment.

AED commends HBO for showing “Thin,” a documentary on eating disorders by Lauren Greenfield. Unlike many media depictions of eating disorders, “Thin” does not glamorize or trivialize them, but rather depicts the struggles of severely ill eating disordered women who do not recover.

While “Thin” focuses on physically and emotionally compromised patients who desperately need inpatient treatment; not all eating disorders are as severe as these four women in the film. Many people with eating disorders can be treated successfully with outpatient multidisciplinary care based on clinically proven treatment techniques.

Dr. Eric van Furth, president of the AED, said the documentary “Thin” will raise questions in the minds of people with eating disorders, as well as their friends and family.

The following links address some of these questions including: describing eating disorders, their course and their physical and emotional consequences, and information on types of treatment approaches. In addition, a search tool will guide you to find a provider located in your area.

• Eating Disorders: The myths and the facts
• What is an eating disorder?
• What is anorexia nervosa?
• What is the prognosis of an eating disorder?
• What are the consequences?
• What treatments work?
• Where can I find a knowledgeable treatment provider?
• Where can I find research findings on proven treatment approaches?
• What is the documentary “Thin”?

AED Bill of Rights Helps Patients Through Maze of Eating Disorder Treatment Options
Read the AED statement on the Patients Bill of Rights.