Press Releases
10/27/2008 – Revealing Halloween Costumes "Mis-treat" Young Girls
(Editor's Note: Dr. Kimberly Dennis, an expert on eating disorders and body image is available for interview to discuss how revealing Halloween costumes can be dangerous.)
CHICAGO (October 27, 2008) – With innocent bunny rabbits being turned into Playboy bunnies and the "Harry Potter" character Hermione morphing into a naughty schoolgirl, what impression are we sending our children by approving of these sexually provocative costumes? Kimberly Dennis, M.D., medical director at Timberline Knolls, warns of potential dangers of these too-sexy children's Halloween costumes that are slowly creeping their way into the "norm."
According to Dr. Dennis, who specializes in the treatment and recovery of eating disorders, the parental endorsement of such costumes can damage the development of a healthy female body image in young girls.
"By overexposing our daughters at an early age to dress and costumes that are highly sexualized, we're sending the message that equates and distils feminine power into having a sexualized, unrealistic and "un-female" body," said Dr. Dennis. "As parents, we have the responsibility to show our young, impressionable daughters a healthy body image by promoting costumes that embrace strong and realistic female forms. You can help your daughter pick a creative costume that focuses on themes relevant to empowered women and flaunts her authentic power instead. Princess costumes and other characters, like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, are popular. These are fun and appropriate, as long as they are not too tight, too short or too revealing. Just keep it fun."
In the United States as many as 10 million teenage girls and young women suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Even with something as seemingly simple as Halloween costumes, it is important to start imparting a healthy body image to girls at a young age, so they have the tools to be emotionally strong young adults.
About Timberline Knolls
Located just outside of Chicago on 43 beautiful acres, Timberline Knolls offers a spiritually nurturing environment of recovery for women ages 12 and older who are struggling to overcome eating disorders, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders. Timberline Knolls helps women and adolescent girls work to achieve lifelong healing using the principles of 12-step recovery, strengthening them spiritually, emotionally and socially. For more information on Timberline Knolls and the services offered, visit www.timberlineknolls.com
Media Contacts:
Chad Backus
Danielle Bickelmann
Michael Burns & Associates
214-521-8596
cbackus@mbapr.com
dbickelmann@mbapr.com