Douglas Hospital’s movie series wraps up with the screening of Shrek

Montreal, May 26, 2006 –Bathing suits and mirrors aren’t a good combination. In fact, most of us do not enjoy the task of shopping for this summer accessory. Yet, we can acknowledge the bulges and still enjoy the sun. However, this isn’t the case for all. For many body image and poor eating habits are dangerous obsessions, making eating disorders the third most common chronic illness in adolescent girls.

While it may not be a documentary about the repercussions of binging and fasting, the Hollywood animated feature Shrek packs a serious message about body image in its comic story about an ogre. This film will cap off the final installment in a series of five free movie nights dealing with mental health, called Frames of Mind and organized by the Douglas Hospital.

“Eating disorders are complex issues and we have to be cautious when we start drawing conclusions,” says Director of the Douglas’ Eating Disorder Program, Howard Steiger, PhD, who will be one of two experts on hand for discussion period following the film. “Biological, social, developmental, and psychological factors all contribute to this process.”

Douglas’ Eating Disorders Program is the only large-scale specialized clinical, teaching, and research program involved in the treatment of eating disorders in the province. Howard Steiger’s team has found that eating disorders involve a variety of explanatory factors, including genetics in combination with too much dieting.

Mimi Israël, MD, psychiatrist-in-chief at the Douglas Hospital, will also be on hand at the screening. “Sometimes a light-hearted story can be the best vehicle to open up a conversation about the difficult issue of eating disorders,” said the award-winning physician, who is also an attending psychiatrist for the Eating Disorders Program.