During a recent government meeting, a passionate discussion emerged surrounding the critical issue of eating disorders among teenagers, led by a representative from Oakland County. The speaker, who previously held the title of Miss Oakland County Teen, emphasized the alarming statistics from the National Eating Disorder Association, revealing that over half of teenage girls and a third of teenage boys have engaged in harmful weight control practices, such as fasting or skipping meals.

The representative introduced her initiative, dubbed \"hashtag food freedom,\" aimed at preventing eating disorders on college campuses. She expressed her commitment to fostering self-confidence among students and raising awareness about the misleading portrayals of body image prevalent on social media. Her goal is to create tangible change starting from her school and extending throughout Oakland County.

As she prepares to represent Oakland County at the Miss Michigan pageant in June 2025, she highlighted the importance of addressing these issues and the need for community support in combating the stigma surrounding eating disorders. The meeting concluded with applause for her and fellow representatives, acknowledging their dedication to promoting health and well-being among youth in the region.