New Miss America Speaks Out About Eating Disorder

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

29 Jan 2008 12:42 AM

What a difference a few years can make...

It was just three years ago that newly crowned Miss America Kirsten Haglund was so painfully thin her parents "dragged" her to a doctor who diagnosed the teen with anorexia.

This weekend the "recovered" Miss Michigan looked healthy and toned as she strutted her stuff in front of millions. The 19-year-old's past battle with weight issues hardly seemed to hold her back as she advanced through pageant rounds and eventually walked away with the Miss America crown.

It was only after the pageant that the Broadway hopeful, who belted out "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" for her talent, revealed the severity of her previous eating disorder and vowed to devote her yearlong reign to raising awareness about anorexia and bulimia with the Children's Miracle Network.

Haglund also said she plans to help "scale-obsessed youths" focus on developing a healthy relationship with food. The new titleholder also said she will continue her current eating and exercise routine while traveling the country as part of her reign. And the 5-foot-8-inch blonde told reporters after being crowned, part of that regime includes indulging (in moderation) in her favorite food--chocolate.

"I love chocolate," Haglund admitted. "Chocolates are a girl's best friend."

She even happily confirmed to reporters that the night before the big competition she ate the chocolates left on her pillow in her Las Vegas hotel suite.

Haglund's new job started immediately after she was crowned and earlier today she appeared on "Live with Regis and Kelly." While there she told the talk show hosts that she stopped pursuing her dream to become a professional ballerina to escape an environment in which she was rewarded for being skinny. She also noted that the industry often "sweeps concerns about eating disorders under the rug."

The National Eating Disorders Association estimates eating disorders affect 10 million girls and women and about 1 million boys and men in the United States.

**If you suspect that someone you love may be suffering from an eating disorder consider visiting the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders' website which provides important information on a variety of eating disorders. **

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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