Eating Disorders are Only Growing Globally with Director of BMA Sarah McMahon

Understanding Body Matters Podcast

On this week’s episode I am super excited to be bringing one of our much loved guest, Director and Psychologist here at BodyMatters Australasia, Sarah McMahon. Sarah is a Registered Psychologist and the Director of BodyMatters Australasia clinic which is an eating disorder treatment clinic which has clinics all around Australia. BMA utilises the discipline of Psychologists, Dieticians, Paediatricians, Social workers, Psychotherapists, as well as multiple other stakeholders. Sarah Co- Founded BodyMatters with Lydia Turner in 2009 as a way to go beyond the biomedical model in the treatment of eating disorders. Sarah is also the Founder of the grassroots advocacy group and charity 'Collective Shout' where she has Chaired the organisation for six of its eight years.

Sarah has been involved in organisations such as Lifeline and is a Founding Member and Board Member of 'Endangered Bodies'. Where Sarah was also on the ANZAED Carer Consumer Committee. Sarah Holds a Masters in Public Health and is passionate about educating the community on eating disorders. Where Sarah is a regular voice in the Media. Sarah has written several book chapters including the body image & eating disorder chapter in Steve Biddulph's 2013 international best seller 'Raising Girls' and contributed to Collet Smart's 2019 book "They'll be okay: 15 Conversations to Help Your Child Through Troubled Times". More recently, she has been interviewed extensively in Kasey Edwards & Christopher Scanlons "Raising Girls Who Like Themselves". Where Sarah has also worked with schools, workplaces, charities, and many more organisational bodies in the fight towards a culture free from the dominating presence of eating disorders.

That is why I am super excited to be bringing Sarah back on the podcast to speak about the topic of the prevalence and cost of eating disorders in Australia & globally. Where we will discuss the new data and research done on eating disorders by the Butterfly Foundation. Aside from what we know in the research, the media still has such a large role in diet culture and the stigma around eating disorders. So as a way to open up more about this area for you, please welcome back Director and Psychologist of BMA, Sarah McMahon.

Podcast Summary:

1. The impact of COVID and inflation on eating disorders

2. The Butterfly Foundations research report

3. The estimated cost of eating disorders for people and families

4. Building relapse prevention

5. Using social media to promote positive change

6. The benefits of treatment and ongoing therapy

Links from the episode:

Butterfly foundation Research prepared by Deloitte: https://butterfly.org.au/news/new-report-reveals-alarming-growth-in-both-prevalence-and-cost-of-eating-disorders/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwYSwBhDcARIsAOyL0fgqxplGsVM6Pn8uxtH70BDitor7D2HGHMtWjEllWZesenAVS9U1_p4aAn2OEALw_wcB

Links from the episode and to BodyMatters:

BodyMatters Australasia Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bodymatters.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersau

Butterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1800 33 4673⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can also ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chat online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠email