FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Mike Judson
(801) 431-7350 or mjudson@tsggroup.com

August 30, 1999, Orem, Utah-LDS women who suffer from eating disorders need to involve the Lord in their recovery, says Heather Anderson, a Church member and recovered anorexic, in a new audio tape entitled "The Lord Looketh on the Heart," from Covenant Communications and the Center for Change.

The new tape features Sister Anderson telling her own story about how she was drawn into the addictive and life-threatening behaviors of eating disorders and eventually recovered through the support of family, friends, professional therapists and the strength she receives through faith in the Lord. Happily married and the mother of two children, Sister Anderson relates how important testimony and faith were to her recovery.

"My eating disorder taught me to see myself the way the Lord sees me and to trust His assessment of my worth," she said. "If He can love me despite my weaknesses and shortcomings, then I feel I have a responsibility to love myself and treat the gift of life that He has given me with reverence."

Also featured on the tape is Church member Harold A. Frost, Ph.D. Dr. Frost was Sister Anderson's therapist through her recovery and is a recognized national expert in eating disorder treatment who has lectured and written extensively on the topic. In 1991 he authored an article for the Ensign magazine entitled "The Thinness Obsession." On the tape, Dr. Frost tells how friends, family and Church leaders can support people who suffer from an eating disorder.

"Members of the Church are just as likely to develop an eating disorder as those outside the Church," he said. "The difference for Church members is in how much more understanding we have of the purpose of life and how much stronger our communities of support are, from family members to home and visiting teachers to priesthood leaders. Church members who suffer are very fortunate if they will use their natural support structure in their recovery."

Phil Reschke, managing editor of multi-media products for Covenant Communications, said the company decided to publish the tape after learning how common eating disorders are, even among Church members. "Working with the Center for Change has been an eye-opening experience in many ways. Most significant to us were the statistics about how many women suffer and the challenges eating disorders create not just for those who suffer, but for their family, friends and those who serve them in the Church. We felt that this tape would help to make more Church members aware of what to look for and how to help those who suffer."

The new tape is available from LDS bookstores or by visiting www.covenant-lds.com on the Internet. The tape is also available by calling the Center for Change at (800) 224-8250 or by visiting www.centerforchange.com.

The Center for Change, based in Orem, Utah, provides hope and healing to women who suffer from eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating. The Center's inpatient and outpatient treatment methodologies focus on helping individuals understand the psychological, physical, emotional and spiritual elements of the healing and recovery process, enabling them to return to a fulfilling and productive life. For more information about the Center for Change, please call (801) 224-8255.