NTL Media Alert: Less than a third of Australians with lived experience of anorexia nervosa under medical care: release of interim study findings – April 26, 2016
NTL MEDIA ALERT
Less than a third of Australians with lived experience of anorexia nervosa under medical care: release of interim study findings
Tomorrow (Wednesday, April 27, 2016), scientists will release interim data from the world’s largest and most rigorous genetic investigation into anorexia nervosa, revealing less than a third of Australian study participants are under medical care, with fasting and exercise their most common methods of weight control.1
Release of the interim observations will support QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute scientists’ call for volunteers either living with, or having recovered from anorexia nervosa, to enter and help complete Australian recruitment into the Anorexia Nervosa Genetics Initiative (ANGI).
Representing the largest sample of Australians currently living with, in remission, and recovered from anorexia nervosa, the ground-breaking genetic study will help scientists to solve the devastating mental illness, afflicting an estimated 53,000 Australians.1,2
To learn more about the interim data and study’s overarching aim to identify the genes that predispose people to anorexia nervosa, tee up an interview with a local expert and/or an Australian with experience of the illness.
| EXPERTS | |
| Prof Nick Martin | Australian ANGI Lead Investigator & Head of Genetic Epidemiology group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, BRISB |
| Dr Warren Ward | Director of Eating Disorder Service, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, BRISB |
| Dr Sloane Madden | Co-director of The Eating Disorder Service, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, SYD |
| Dr Sarah Maguire | Director, Centre for Eating & Dieting Disorders, SYD |
| Prof Susan Sawyer | Director, Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, MELB |
| Dr Elizabeth Hughes | Research Fellow for Eating Disorders, The University of Melbourne & The Royal Children’s Hospital, MELB |
| Prof Tracey Wade | Australian ANGI Associate Investigator & Dean, School of Psychology, Finders University, ADEL |
| Dr Fiona Wagg | Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, The Royal Hobart Hospital, HOB |
| Dr Michelle Williams | Consultant Paediatrician, The Royal Hobart Hospital, HOB |
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EVERYDAY AUSTRALIANS
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| Emily, 24 | Psychology Uni student & gym enthusiast in recovery from anorexia nervosa, BRISB |
| Madeline, 24 | Forensic technician, bride-to-be & ANGI participant in recovery from anorexia nervosa, BRISB |
| Jessica, 32 | Former ballerina, mother-to-three & ANGI participant in full recovery from anorexia, SYD |
| Penelope, 26
Stephanie, 26 Jenny, 27 |
Passionate cook & ANGI participant in recovery from anorexia nervosa, SYD
Make-up artist, opera singer & ANGI participant recovering from anorexia, SYD Writing coordinator & ANGI participant recovering from anorexia nervosa, SYD |
| Lisa, 57
Rhiannon, 18 |
Retired public servant & volunteer living with anorexia nervosa, ACT
Former rower, high school graduate & ANGI participant now recovered from anorexia nervosa, MELB |
| Amy, 29 | Early childcare educator & new mum recovered from anorexia nervosa, MELB |
| Ruby, 21 | Nursing student, ANGI participant & anorexia nervosa survivor, MELB |
| Arabella, 23 | Personal trainer & ANGI participant in recovery from anorexia nervosa, ADEL |
| Riannon, 27 | Business development officer & ANGI participant recovering from anorexia nervosa, ADEL |
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MEDIA KIT: BROADCAST VISION: MEDIA CONTACTS: |
Available for download WED, APRIL 27, 2016 from www.ANGImediakit.orgVision avail. via satellite feed @ 9.15am AEST on WED, APRIL 27 from 7 Network (SYD) – please record & ask Ch 7 in your capital city to on-pass, if an affiliate Kirsten Bruce, Mark Henderson, John Wanna from VIVA! Communications 0401 717 566 / 0431 465 004 / 0430 302 822 |
References
- Martin F et al. Martin et al. The Anorexia Nervosa Genetics Initiative: Study description and sample characteristics of the Australian arm. April 2016.
- The Butterfly Foundation – Butterfly Report: Paying the price – The economic and social impact of eating disorders in Australia, 2012, http://thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Butterfly_Report.pdf [last accessed March 3, 2015].
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. 3101.0 – Australian Demographic Statistics, Jun 2012. http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/allprimarymainfeatures/33970B13F1DF7F56CA257B3B00117AA2?opendocument [last accessed March 3, 2015].