Empty: A Story of Anorexia

By Christie Pettit

More than five million adolescent girls struggle with eating dis-orders, and more than 80 percent of American women are unhappy with their bodies. Christie Pettit knows these statistics firsthand. As a college student with a tennis scholarship, she found herself eating less and less, compulsively exercising, and spiraling downward in a dangerous battle against anorexia. She was starving--but she didn't know it.

Now with a two-color interior, Empty recounts Christie's gripping story, incorporating new statistics, reflections from her journal, and biblical insight. Her candid retelling of her experience shows the spiritual dimension of eating disorders and describes how Christie turned to the Bible as a source of strength and encouragement to help her overcome anorexia.

Pastors, parents, counselors, and those battling anorexia--especially teen girls--will find hope and wise counsel in Christie's compelling story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• Release date: Jul 1, 2006
• ISBN: 9781441201409

Christie Pettit

Christie Pettit currently works as a counselor of teens, with a specialization in eating disorder recovery. She speaks to groups such as Athletes in Action and writes for publications, including Today's Christian Woman, The Upper Room, and Sports Spectrum. She is also the managing editor of Conversations: A Forum for Authentic Transformation. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Emory University, and the Psychological Studies Institute, Christie lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Reviews for Empty

[earthforms · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Is this even real? It reads like Christian propaganda about body issues. Certainly I have no problems with Christianity or if someone uses any religion to help recover from a problem, but really.. what is this. The journal entries definitely don't read like any person's real private thoughts and the extra quotes from other girls, what. Your mom suggested you play outside so you develop an eating disorder? I'm trying really hard to not judge, and not just because of the section of the book about God teaching you not to judge, but really. Don't even waste your time. If you are looking for Christianity in eating disorder recovery there must be better options out there.

[olegalca · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Horrible, horrible, horrible. This book reads more like a checklist than a story of recovery from an eating disorder. I don't know if the author was just being evasive or honestly thought she was telling her story - but what I do know is that this book was a waste of time to read, especially if you are desperate for help. She made recovery too easy and too elusive at the same time.