NEDA Week 2012

This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week!

According to the NEDA website, the goal of National Eating Disorders Awareness week is to “promote public and media attention to the seriousness of eating disorders and their biological as well as environmental triggers, and to try to combat the pressures, attitudes and behaviors that can contribute to them.”

Eating Disorder Facts (via nationaleatingdisorders.org)

1. The peak onset of eating disorders occurs during puberty, but can start as young as kindergarten.
2. Approximately 10 million females and 1 million males in the US are currently suffering from anorexia and/or bulimia.  Millions more suffer from negative body image and disordered eating habits.
3. Eating disorders are serious illnesses with a biological basis.  They are not lifestyle choices.
4. Eating disorders are treatable; however Anorexia has the highest mortality rate among all mental illnesses.

Interesting Articles

1. It’ll Be Better When I’m Thin… by Geneen Roth, author of Women, Food and God
2. 5 Ways to Help Girls Resist the Pressure to be Perfect by Claire Mysko, author of You’re Amazing! A No-Pressure Guide to Being Your Best Self
3. Coaches Guide to Eating Disorders by Roberta Trattner Sherman, PhD, FAED, eating disorder treatment specialist and co-author of Helping Athletes With Eating Disorders

In order to raise awareness of EDs, I used social media this year: the blog (obviously), facebook, and twitter.

Some other ideas to spread awareness:

1. Hang post-it notes Operation Beautiful style
2. Watch a powerful ED documentary, such as “Thin”, with your friends and chat about the movie afterwards.
3. Recognize NEDA Week at your university or high school
4. Give at least 1 honest compliment a day, everyday

What are you doing for NEDA Week?