Tessa was a chatbot originally designed by researchers to help prevent eating disorders. The National Eating Disorders Association had hoped Tessa would be a resource for those seeking information, but the chatbot was taken down when artificial intelligence-related capabilities, added later on, caused the chatbot to provide weight loss advice. Screengrab hide caption
eating disorders
Abbie Harper worked for a helpline run by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), which is now being phased out. Harper disagrees with the new plan to use an online chatbot to help users find information about eating disorders. Andrew Tate hide caption
Children share apples in Sydney, Australia. Natalie Board/Getty Images/EyeEm hide caption
Air Force service members run a timed 1.5 miles during their annual physical fitness test at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois in June. The U.S. Space Force intends to do away with once-a-year assessments in favor of wearable technology. Eric Schmid/St. Louis Public Radio hide caption
There are risk factors for eating disorders that are unique to military service. Al Tielemans/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images hide caption
A recent survey found 62% of people in the U.S. with anorexia experienced a worsening of symptoms after the pandemic hit. And nearly a third of Americans with binge-eating disorder, which is far more common, reported an increase in episodes. Boogich/Getty Images hide caption
Eating Disorders Thrive In Anxious Times, And Pose A Lethal Threat
Author Susan Burton struggled with disordered eating for decades. "Hunger was something that I believed protected me and gave me power," she says. Anna Kurzaeva/Getty Images hide caption
From 'Empty' To 'Satisfied': Author Traces A Hunger That Food Can't Fix
Doctors should start screening all women and girls for anxiety, according a prominent women's health group. Getty Images/Maskot hide caption
When Efforts To Eat 'Clean' Become An Unhealthy Obsession
The best help for patients struggling with addiction, eating disorders or other mental health problems sometimes includes intensive therapy, the evidence shows. But many patients still have trouble getting their health insurers to cover needed mental health treatment. Gary Waters/Ikon Images/Getty Images hide caption
When It Comes To Race, Eating Disorders Don't Discriminate
Logan Davis #1 congratulates Ohio State Buckeyes teammate Nick Oddo #15 for scoring a goal on March 22, 2014. Hannah Foslien/Getty Images hide caption
Underdiagnosed Male Eating Disorders Are Becoming Increasingly Identified
Before anorexia, Maddy Rich (left) says she never thought she was the kind of person who would struggle with an eating disorder. She gets advice on recovery from Julia Sinn. Image Courtesy of Samantha Hackett; Elizabeth Birnbaum hide caption
Fighting An Eating Disorder When It's 'Hard To Want To Get Better'
Turning to over-the-counter supplements to get ripped can contribute to physical and psychological issues. iStockphoto hide caption
Models wear creations for Masha Ma's fall-winter 2015-2016 ready to wear fashion collection during Paris fashion week, Paris, France, on March 11. Under proposed legislation in France, models would have to get routine checkups. Christophe Ena/AP hide caption
Sgt. Mark Miranda, a public affairs specialist at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, demonstrates the use of a program in July 2011 that was designed to help calm symptoms of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. A new class of apps is offering more sophisticated mental health help to struggling teens, including emergency, 24/7 connection to counselors. Ted S. Warren/AP hide caption
Fun hikes offer health benefits for kids of every shape and size. Annette Birkenfeld/annedde/iStockphoto hide caption
Jonathan Noyes started binging on food after a stressful period in his family's life, including his father's job loss and his grandmother's cancer. Maggie Starbard/NPR hide caption
For Boys With Eating Disorders, Finding Treatment Can Be Hard
Male binge eaters were more likely to be depressed and obese than men who didn't binge, a study found.
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