Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder, affecting ~3% of individuals in their lifetime.  The proposed inclusion of BED as a distinct diagnostic category in DSM-V substantiates its significant mental health relevance and portends an increasing demand for research to improve treatment and clinical outcomes.

The Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA), and its CEO, Chevese Turner, are working tirelessly to help meet this demand.  BEDA was founded to help those who have BED, their friends and family, and those who treat the disorder by providing access to the tools they need to live with, treat, and ultimately prevent BED.  BEDA is holding its 2^nd Annual National Conference March 31-April 2, 2001, in Scottsdale, Arizona. This year’s theme is “Coming into the Light: Strategies and Hope for Recovery in BED and Associated Conditions”.  The conference will feature two exciting keynote addresses and numerous highly informative lectures and panel discussions that cover topics relevant to treatment providers and researchers as well as affected individuals and their families and friends.  On March 31, renowned author and self-esteem expert, Jess Weiner, will present her keynote address titled, “You are the One You’ve Been Waiting For: Sharing Your Story for Social Change”.  The following day, Dr. Timothy Walsh’s keynote address will focus on the current status and future trends in BED treatment and research.  Attendees can also look forward to thought-provoking educational and advocacy sessions that address topics such as the neurobiology of binge eating; nutritional counseling interventions for binge eating; emotional eating in children; and identifying common pathways to address obesity concerns and the prevention of weight bias and eating disorders.

Check out BEDA’s website (http://www.bedaonline.com/) for more details about the organization, their mission, and the upcoming conference (http://www.bedaonline.com/2011conference/PDF/2011_BEDA_mailer06_WEB.pdf).  And for those of us who are already fans and members of BEDA, mark your calendars for next year’s conference that will be held in Philadelphia in March, 2012. I’ll be there, and I hope to see you there, too!

~Kimberly A. Brownley, PhD