Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences- Eating Disorder Signature Project

Hi! I am Alana Dutton, a student at the Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences. I've created a resource for individuals seeking to understand eating disorders- learning about their origins, and development and providing details on treatment options and research centers across California, both online and in person.

This website is meant to show the teenage perspective on eating disorders, explaining how we are affected and how we feel. Outside of my website, my main focus is to inform teachers, counselors, and staff about the signs and symptoms of eating disorders and multiple resources to contact. 

Initially, my vision was to create a designated staff member in every school, offering students a safe and secure space to open up, and have reliable resources. However, with my research, I discovered  plenty of exceptional resources and organizations already offering amazing programs with that objective.

My revised objectve is to extend the reach of eating disorder prevention and body positivity to various vulnerable groups, such as dancers and athletes, people who are neurodivergent, people who have experienced trauma or any other mental illnesses, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Moreover, I have a blog with interviews from multiple partnered organizations, outreach centers, and more, offering an abundance of resources providing information for education and support  to those in need.