Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Eating Disorder Awareness Week

February 22 to the 28th is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. The goal of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is to shine a light on eating disorders by educating the public, spread a message of hope and put resources into the hands of those who need it.

An eating disorder is a condition characterized by irregular or abnormal eating habits. Some common eating disorders are:

  • Anorexia Nervosa
    • ◦ An eating disorder characterized by abnormally low body weight.
  • Binge Eating Disorder
    • ◦ A disorder involving frequent consumption of large amounts of food without stopping.
  • Bulimia Nervosa
    • ◦ Eating disorder characterized by binge eating, followed by methods to avoid weight gain.
  • Pica
    • ◦ A psychological disorder characterized by an appetite for substances that are largely non-nutritive.

There are some alarming facts when it comes to eating disorders:

  • The rate of children under 12 being admitted to a hospital for eating disorders rose 119 percent in less than a decade.
  • Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, with nearly 1 person dying every hour as a direct result of an eating disorder.
  • Anorexia is the 3rd most common chronic illness among adolescents, after asthma and obesity.

A huge supporter of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is the National Eating Disorders Association – the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. This year, they are inviting Every Body to Have a Seat at the Table.

”In a field where marginalized communities continue to be underrepresented, we welcome conversations on raising awareness, challenging systemic biases, and sharing stories from all backgrounds and experiences.”

PPI wants to help spread this information to help our community get better and stay healthy. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, reach out for help today.

Eating Disorder Awareness Week

If you would like to speak to someone about better managing your stress and anxiety, or to make an appointment, please call (717) 782-6493  for more information.