Poor Self Esteem and Eating Disorders

An article, “Self perception score from zero to ten correlates well with standardized scales of adolescent self esteem, body dissatisfaction, eating disorders risk, depression, and anxiety”, was published in International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health 2009. It introduced a quick and reliable method to assess mental health status and the new measurement is correlated very well with the complex standard assessment such as the Harter Self Perception Profile, Beck Junior Depression, Speilberger State and Trait Anxiety and the Eating Disorders Inventory. This new measure can help social workers and school counselors to early diagnosis of adolescent eating disorder, and further to early intervention.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20306763
Here is a link for helping in building up self esteem.
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/sma-3715/activities.asp

Health Eating

10 great health foods for eating well
• Almond
• Apple
• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Red bean
• Spinach
• Sweat potato
• Salmon
• Vegetable juice
• Wheat germ

These 10 health foods are among your best bets for eating well because they meet at least three of the following criteria: 1) Good or excellent source of fiber, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients; 2 )High in phytonutrients and antioxidant compounds, such as vitamins A and E and beta carotene; 3) May help reduce risk of heart disease and other health conditions; 4) Low in calorie density, meaning you get a larger portion size with a fewer number of calorie; 5) Readily available.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/health-foods/MY01108&slide=3

Eating Disorder Awareness Week

How Can Patient Right Be Protected?

Risperdal

• Developed by Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen pharmaceuticals Unit
• FDA proofed for psychotic disorders linked to schizophrenia
• At its peak year 2007, Risoerdal produced $ 4.5 billion in revenue
• 2003 approved for bipolar disorder
• 2007 approved autism
• Never approved for dementia

False Claims:

1. In 1994 FDA ordered J & J to stop making false and misleading marketing claims about the drug’s superior to its competing medicine.
2. In 1999 FDA warned J & J on its overstated Risperdal’s benefits while understated its risks because J & J indirect marketed it is effect for bipolar.
3. 2004 state of Louisiana sued J & J for off-label marketing of Riperdal to elderly and children.
4. 2010 FDA accused J & J paid kickback for recommending Risperdal to nursing home patients.
5. Riperdal was promoted by J & J through doctors, nursing homes, and VA's on treating bipolar disorder, dementia, mood and anxiety disorders and other unapproved uses.
   

This is one example of misleading drugs marketed by pharmaceutical companies. As the table on the right corner showed that off-label marketing is such a common practice in the Pharmaceutic industry, $ 634 million to 2.3 billion was paid for settlement, but what about the patients who get medicine which does not treat their diseases? How can patients' rights be protected? For the dementia patients who are given Riperdal: who will be responsible for their disease's continued progress instead of being slowed down or being stopped after treatment? Should there be more rules to constrict the drugs to their proven treatment?
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_12/b4171068582130.htm