Presentation to raise awareness of eating disorders

The parents of a California college student who unsuccessfully battled bulimia will visit campus to share their inside perspective on the disease.

Tom and Doris Smeltzer will present “Andrea’s Voice: Eating Disorders From a Daughter’s Insights and a Parent’s Perspective” at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 15, in Room 1306 of the Health Sciences Learning Center, 750 Highland Ave.

With knowledge gained from experts in the field and from their daughter’s words, the Smeltzers describe the factors that contribute to the development of an eating disorder, warning signs, approaches to use when speaking with a suspected sufferer and the necessary components of an effective treatment plan.

A Napa, Calif., resident for most of her life, Andrea Smeltzer attended Pitzer College in Claremont, Calif. Though she was an active presence on campus and graduated with a degree in international studies, her life was cut short on June 16, 1999, when, after a 13-month struggle with bulimia, she died in her sleep due to an electrolyte imbalance that caused her heart to fail.

Her parents have made it their own mission to make sure that Andrea’s voice is still heard, taking part in speaking engagements and developing a Web site to raise awareness (http://www.andreasvoice.org).

The message is important for UW–Madison students, according to campus experts.

“Our students are a high-risk population for these diseases,” says Elizabeth Freitick, a dietician at University Health Services (UHS). “Their numbers contribute to the estimated 5 to 10 million Americans who struggle with anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorders. Denial and resistance to treatment are fierce psychological obstacles once an eating disorder has taken hold, so prevention is very important.

“Awareness and education are crucial to help keep vulnerable students on the UW campus from a potential life-threatening eating disorder,” she adds.

Kerry Schaefer, a UW medical student, found “Andrea’s Voice” to be an “incredibly powerful and moving presentation. Having fought with an eating disorder myself, I know Andrea’s words and the Smeltzers’ advice to be true to life.”

The presentation is sponsored by Associated Students of Madison, UHS, Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association and Medical Students Association.

For information on the event, contact Schaefer at (608) 251-1930. Information on UHS services for disordered eating is available online.