Contact: Abigail Davidson, Publicist, WinePress Publishing Group, 360-802-9758, abigail@winepressgroup.com

ENUMCLAW, Wash., August 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- "Body obsession is a distraction from the more important aspects of the self." Explains Dr. Linda Mintle, licensed clinical psychologist. "Outer beauty is only a façade that often hides the deeper character issues of a person."

The raging epidemic of anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorders, has continued to spiral out of control as society fails to deal with the root issues behind these deadly disorders.

Author Nancy Alcorn believes that young women today live in a world where temporary solutions are offered for serious problems. "Treatment approaches issues with an emphasis on simply managing and providing coping skills, but I believe a person can be free from the cycle of an eating disorder."

In her new book, "Starved: Mercy for Eating Disorders," Alcorn offers faith-based hope for those needing freedom from eating disorders. "Starved identifies the root issues connected with an eating disorder and offers practical principles that can be applied to bring restoration and lasting freedom."

Today's society tends to focus solely on the behavioral and medical aspects of eating disorders. I believe in exposing what is behind the harmful behaviors so that God can bring true healing in the lives of hurting young women.

The second in Alcorn's "Mercy for..." series, Starved is an outgrowth of her work with Mercy Ministries, a non-profit organization she founded in 1983. Mercy Ministries' residential facilities serve young women between the ages of 13-28 who face life-controlling issues. With outreach programs worldwide, young women are provided with faith-based counseling, life-skills training and educational opportunities.

Mercy Ministries offers free residential programs designed to address the whole person: spiritual, physical and emotional. "Our goal is to have each young woman not only complete the program, but be transformed from the inside out and discover the purpose for her life."

Over the years, Mercy Ministries has partnered with well-known leaders and musicians such as CeCe Winans, Martina McBride, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, and Point of Grace, and Joel Osteen.

"There is hope for young women struggling with eating disorders," says Alcorn. "It is possible to overcome, not just exist with an eating disorder."

For more information, to request a review copy, or to schedule interviews, contact Abigail Davidson by phone at 360-802-9758, by email at Abigail@winepressgroup.com, or by fax at 360-82-5748. For more information about Nancy Alcorn and Mercy Ministries, visit www.mercyministries.com.