'Food Prisons' focuses on body image and eating disorders

KALAMAZOO--"Food Prisons: A Musical Play About Body Image and Eating Disorders" will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall at Western Michigan University.

"Food Prisons" is open to the public free of charge. Performances will be followed by a panel discussion with clinicians from the Southwest Michigan Eating Disorder Association and campus clinicians.

Eating disorders include more than just anorexia and bulimia and affect an estimated eight million people. They have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness and 95 percent of those with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25.

The mixed messages young people receive through the media can cause life-long problems with disordered eating. Studies have shown that emphasis on self-acceptance is crucial in working with disordered eating.

"Food Prisons" is a montage of songs and scenes about body image and eating disorders and their effect on the lives of young adults. It was written and directed by Dr. Christine Iaderosa, coordinator of WMU's Theatre for Community Health, with music by Adam Schumaker.

Performances of "Food Prisons" is supported by a variety of campus and community organizations, including the Southwest Michigan Eating Disorder Association and WMU's Sindecuse Health Center and Campus Activities Board.