YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK

New research looks to help teens with anorexia

Teen girls with anorexia are at risk for poor bone development, but new made-in-Saskatchewan research is aiming to help change that. Pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Munier Nour is leading a pilot study using estrogen replacement to study the impact on bone health in girls with anorexia. New and effective strategies are desperately needed, as there is no proven treatment or prevention therapy approved for optimizing bone health in young girls with anorexia. Unfortunately, most studies that have attempted to replace estrogen in a pill format for those with anorexia have not shown benefits to bone health. Nour’s innovative study, funded by Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, will instead replace estrogen pills with a patch, which has shown promising results. “It’s important to ensure every adolescent can attain their peak bone mass, or else it could have an impact on their entire life. If there are detriments to bone health, it could lead to things such as earlier risk of osteoporosis or fractures,” Nour explained.

Anorexia nervosa is a condition of severe low body weight, as a result of impaired body image and an intense fear of weight gain. It often occurs in adolescence at a critical time for bone development. Teen girls who have anorexia are at risk for bone loss and bone fragility because of a number of hormonal changes that occur in response to inadequate nutritional intake. Estrogen deficiency is thought to be a major contributor to bone loss. The study will examine the bone health of 24 Saskatchewan girls with anorexia, ranging in age from 12 to 20-years-old. For two years, participants will have their bone health assessed multiple times, with half of them receiving estrogen and the other half receiving a placebo. “In Saskatchewan, we have unique opportunities in terms of bone health research. We’ll be using state-of-the-art high resolution bone imaging techniques in a collaborative team of researchers and clinicians to conduct this research,” Nour said.

The results of this study have potential for global impact for patient care well beyond Saskatchewan. Once the bone health pilot study is completed in Saskatoon, Nour hopes to see the study expand to other centres across the country. “We are very proud to support this pilot study, as it highlights the importance to care for the unique needs of teens in this province,” said Lynn Redl-Huntington, Vice President, Communications at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. “We know this research will create a greater understanding of bone health in girls with anorexia and we are so thankful to have donors who see the value of such important work.”

It's important to ensure every adolescent can attain their peak bone mass, or else it could have an impact on their entire life.

Did You Know?

Approximately 1 million Canadians meet the diagnostic criteria for eating disorders, including anorexia. The incidence of eating disorders in Canada is estimated to be 2 – 4 times greater than Type 2 Diabetes. Eating disorders affect women 10X more than men.

What’s Happening

This holiday season get your shopping done and show your support for Saskatchewan kids at the same time! Donate to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation at check-out tills or self-checkouts at your local Saskatchewan Walmart store to ensure a happy holiday season for all. WALMART HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN Dec 3-24

Round up your bill to the nearest dollar and feel good while enjoying your favorite foods from your local Save-On-Foods store, in all six locations in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Yorkton. All funds raised in Saskatchewan will stay right here at home to help kids from every corner of our province. ROUND UP WITH SAVE ON

FOODS Jan 16-29

Prepare for a tropical chic champagne celebration at this year’s Jeans & Jewels Gala presented by Mosaic. Join us at WTC Saskatoon at Prairieland Park for delectable food and lively entertainment as we celebrate the opening of Saskatchewan’s maternal and children’s hospital. Get your tickets now at pattisonchildrens.ca. JEANS & JEWELS GALA May 1

Make breakfast your favourite meal of the day at Marriott hotels across Saskatchewan. $1 from every breakfast buffet will be donated to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation to help local kids get the care they need. MARRIOTT BREAKFAST CAMPAIGN Until Dec 31

Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon will play host to the Montreal Canadiens Alumni Game with seventeen local Saskatchewan players battling it out against Montreal Canadiens legends. It’s sure to be an experience of a lifetime! Get your tickets at pattisonchildrens.ca/events/ montreal-canadiens MONTREAL CANADIENS ALUMNI GAME Feb 27

Get your tickets now to Bloom: An Evening of Love at TCU Place in Saskatoon. This incredible evening includes a champagne reception, plated meal, entertainment, and exciting live and silent auctions supporting the NICU at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. To purchase your tickets, please visit bloomnicu.com. BLOOM: AN EVENING OF LOVE May 23

Thank you. On behalf of everyone at Jim Pattison Children's Hospital

Foundation, thank you for your dedication to our province's kids and families; your support helped build Saskatchewan's first maternal and children's hospital.