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Renfrew's Vice President and Medical Director Lends Expertise to Fashion Industry's Response to the Challenge of Eating Disorders

Posted on: Wednesday, 31 January 2007, 15:01 CST

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The Renfrew Center, the nation's first and largest freestanding eating disorder treatment network, is proud to announce the participation of Susan Ice, MD, Vice President and Medical Director, in the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Health Initiative to address the danger of eating disorders among models. Due to extensive experience treating individuals with eating disorders, Dr. Ice and Renfrew were chosen to work with fashion industry and other experts on the committee.

The CFDA Health Initiative proposes a series of positive steps designed to promote wellness and health within the fashion industry. The first step in the initiative was to develop recommendations that foster a balanced approach to nutrition, recreation, exercise, work and relationships. The CFDA's recommendations, announced on January 12, include:

- Age restrictions for models - 16 or older for runway shows; 18 or older to work past midnight. - Education around warning signs, treatment and prevention of eating disorders. - Healthy meals and snacks at photo shoots. - A smoke- and alcohol-free environment backstage. - Requiring that models with eating disorders seek treatment. - Approval from a professional to return to modeling after treatment for an eating disorder.

"I commend the CFDA for recognizing that eating disorders are serious, life-threatening diseases, and for initiating dialogue around this important issue. The recommendations we developed are just the beginning of what will hopefully be a lasting presence of eating disorder awareness and education in the fashion industry," says Dr. Ice.

Dr. Ice will also be part of a panel discussion on health and beauty which will be held during Fashion Week on February 5 in New York City. The CFDA has invited designers, models, agents, editors and other fashion industry leaders to attend the discussion.

Dr. Ice has been a senior staff member at The Renfrew Center of Philadelphia, since 1999. Prior to Renfrew, Dr. Ice established and directed a hospital-based eating disorders program for almost 15 years. She is a member of the Academy for Eating Disorders, and has lectured extensively on eating disorders.

The Renfrew Center has treated over 45,000 adolescents and adults with anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder since opening in 1985. Renfrew has residential and outpatient facilities in Philadelphia, PA and Greater Ft. Lauderdale, FL as well as outpatient sites in Bryn Mawr, PA; Ridgewood, NJ; Wilton, CT; New York City and coming in spring of 2007, Charlotte, NC, and Nashville, TN.

To learn more about eating disorders or for additional information about Renfrew programs, call 1-800-RENFREW or visit http://www.renfrewcenter.com/.

The Renfrew Center

CONTACT: Rachel Ammon, The Renfrew Center, +1-215-254-1650,Rammon@renfrewcenter.com

Web site: http://www.renfrewcenter.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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