At age 12 Na Rhea Rucker started skipping meals during the day and would then eat and eat in the evening when she got home from her many activities. Partly due to scheduling conflicts but mostly due to emotional stress, her new eating habit became an issue of control for the teen and by the time she was a freshman in high school she was a full fledged bulimic.

Rucker's family was aware that something was wrong but was unsure exactly what the problem was.¬  Finally at the end of her freshman year Na Rhea approached her mother and told her exactly what the problem was.

"We started looking at treatment facilities and settled on Avalon Hills," said Rucker.

Avalon Hills is a residential treatment facility in northern Utah. Initially, Rucker's insurance would not pay for the center and after a short stay at another facility she was able to get into Avalon Hills.¬  She spent 90 days at the facility in group and individual therapy, education classes and retraining herself to eat properly.

Na Rhea and her mom are eager to teach others about what they've learned about eating disorders.¬ 

"I will probably always have a problem with (food). I'm recovered, not cured," continued Rucker.

Both Na Rhea and her mom discussed ways that parents or loved ones can recognize if a child is heading towards and eating disorder.

"Disordered eating or a ritual associated with eating; like a child will only eat things in a circular motion around their plate could be sign of an eating disorder. Maybe a child eats too fast or too slow or chews too much, maybe they are excessively picky. Some will announce they are vegetarians. Anything that is out of the norm, they might ask to be excused quickly or like Na Rhea, they won't eat with the family or eat secretly," said Andrea Johnson, Na Rhea's mom.

Na Rhea was also surprised at all the health risks associated with eating disorders.

"Some of the girls in the center were 15 and were on the verge of osteoporosis. I had hair loss and edema in my ankles; some girls would lose their periods, get ridges in their nails. Bulimics can give themselves a hiatal hernia from throwing up so much. They can even die by putting their finger on their throat to make themselves throw up," Rucker said.

Rucker has been recovered for two years now. She just competed in the Junior Miss pageant, just to say she did it and to send pictures to other girls at Avalon to tell them that they can recover too. She has completed her GED and has entered a CNA training program with plans to work her way to becoming a nurse midwife.¬ 

For more information on eating disorders visit www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.