BOSTON -- They are perhaps the most famous twins in the world. Now, half of the Olsen pair is reportedly battling an eating disorder. Mary-Kate has checked herself into a treatment facility, reportedly for anorexia treatment.
NewsCenter 5's Heather Unruh reported that the intense publicity surrounding her case may help others by opening the dialogue between parents and teens.
The Olsens have grown up before our eyes, and so has their media empire, which is expected to pull in a hefty $1.2 billion this year.
"There's enough pressure being a normal teenage girl and these girls must cope with so much," In Touch Weekly spokesman Dan Wakeford said.
About one in every 250 young girls has an eating disorder. The early signs include refusal to maintain a healthy weight, avoiding settings where food will be served, like parties, loss of menstrual periods, over-exercising and an intense fear of being fat.
"The girl that weighs herself and breaks into tears after she weighs herself would be of great concern," University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center Dr. Dianne Elfenbein said.
But experts say the publicity surrounding the Olsen case may actually do some good. It gives parents an "in" to talk to their kids about any eating issues and a reason for them not to feel so alone.
"It becomes less of a stigma. It isn't such a horrible thing you have to face by yourself," Elfenbein said.
Facing it early is key -- eating disorders that are not treated can lead to bone weakness, heart trouble and life-threatening consequences.
"The earlier you catch it, the easier it is, usually, to make some dent or some changes in it," Elfenbein said.
NewsCenter 5's Heather Unruh reported that the intense publicity surrounding her case may help others by opening the dialogue between parents and teens.
The Olsens have grown up before our eyes, and so has their media empire, which is expected to pull in a hefty $1.2 billion this year.
"There's enough pressure being a normal teenage girl and these girls must cope with so much," In Touch Weekly spokesman Dan Wakeford said.
About one in every 250 young girls has an eating disorder. The early signs include refusal to maintain a healthy weight, avoiding settings where food will be served, like parties, loss of menstrual periods, over-exercising and an intense fear of being fat.
"The girl that weighs herself and breaks into tears after she weighs herself would be of great concern," University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center Dr. Dianne Elfenbein said.
But experts say the publicity surrounding the Olsen case may actually do some good. It gives parents an "in" to talk to their kids about any eating issues and a reason for them not to feel so alone.
"It becomes less of a stigma. It isn't such a horrible thing you have to face by yourself," Elfenbein said.
Facing it early is key -- eating disorders that are not treated can lead to bone weakness, heart trouble and life-threatening consequences.
"The earlier you catch it, the easier it is, usually, to make some dent or some changes in it," Elfenbein said.
