RICHLAND Katie Klute knows young people are bombarded with images that can distort how they feel about themselves -- such as airbrushed photos of stick-thin models with colored contacts and bleached hair.
So the Richland woman has started a nonprofit group aimed at promoting positive body image and helping people who suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.
As many as 10 million girls and women and 1 million boys and men have eating disorders, according to the National Eating Disorders Association in Seattle.
They're "literally dying to be thin," Klute said.
Her center, The Tri-Cities Center for Eating Disorders, provides information, support and resource links, she said. Klute also will be speaking to students and other groups in the area to spread awareness.
She's working out of her home now, but the goal is to eventually have a facility with medical and counseling staff. She'll be applying for grants and fundraising to make that happen.
Klute knows first-hand the pain caused by an eating disorder. She struggled with anorexia and bulimia for years and even had to undergo surgery because of the damage done to her body.
The 36-year-old is healthy now, and she wants to use her experience to help others, she said.
The center already has a website with information and links. It also has a board of directors.
Lauree Cannon of Richland, the vice president and Klute's sister, said the center will fill a need in the Tri-Cities.
"The media says if you're not skinny and perfect, there's something wrong with you," she said. "... If we can create awareness in any way, it's going to (make a difference)."
Staci Wertenberger of West Richland, also on the board, said she's seen children as young as third or fourth grade worry about having the right hairdo or clothing. She used to teach elementary school before going on leave to raise her two young daughters.
"(The center) is another outlet for kids to come and learn to live a healthy life," she said.
Klute, who has an event planning business, has been networking with other eating disorder groups and seeking their advice as she gets her center going.
The problem of eating disorders and distorted body image often isn't talked about because people are afraid or embarrassed, she said.
"It's got to be talked about and stopped," she said.
* On the net: www.tced.org
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