This may not be a sunny, happy topic, but it needs to be discussed. In fact, it merits an entire week of discussion, if not more. It is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. The eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive eating disorder, seem to work on a spectrum and have doubtlessly touched many of our lives. This awareness week is an important tool for reaching people who are at risk of developing an eating disorder or are already suffering from one.
The National Eating Disorders Association sponsors the week of awareness, and events are held all over the nation. Check their website calendar to see if there is an event happening near you. If you're in the NYC area, there will be a free discussion, open to the public on Feb. 28. In Seattle, on Feb. 26, there will be a walk and silent art auction.
The theme this year for National Eating Disorders Awareness week is: ". . .until eating disorders are history." The goal is to ultimately prevent eating disorders and body image issues while reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders and improving access to treatment. The NEDA website has treatment referrals for people at risk for eating disorders.
Lepel
Patrizia Pepe
Burberry
We have the same thing going on over in the UK:
http://www.b-eat.co.uk/Events/EatingDisordersAwarenessWeek
I suffered with anorexia from about the age of 14, and while I managed to get back to a healthy weight, I still struggled with body dysmorphia. It's only recently that I've really started to accept my body and be healthy.
1My heart goes out to everyone who's been affected by eating disorders.
I'm happy that you are getting back on the right track, Oscar_baby!
2I have also suffered from anorexia. It's a terrible thing that affects you mentally and physically. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I wish girls (and some guys) could just learn to love themselves as they are and not let this happen. I am thankful I was able to recover on my own and get my figure back as well. If you're going through this, please get some help. If you've recovered, stay strong and keep up the healthy attitude!
I have someone close to me, a guy who suffers from anorexia. So sad to see someone go through that.
3I'm currently in recovery from anorexia. It's so hard and it's really difficult for people to understand that it does go deeper than thinness and food.
4Now that I'm on the right track, I wouldn't wish the disease on anyone, and I hope that this week inspires people to get help for themselves or loved ones.
Until the media makes significant changes, I'm afraid eating disorders are here to stay. So many girls don't realize that magazine photos are photoshopped, and when their favorite celebrity has an enviable body, often she has the resources for a trainer, chef, etc.
5Hey Fit-could you feature more ED articles-at least this week? It's important that we have awareness on this subject and I'm glad that you are starting out with this post.
6I have dealt with an EDNOS for 12 years, and it has nothing to do with magazines and photoshop, and i have found that most of the people in my support group would agree. Maybe people will take the time this week and find out what is really behing most ED's, and how they could help prevent them from happening to a family member in the future.
http://www.something-fishy.org/
7thank you miss malone. the same to you!
lilxmissxmolly, I wish you all of the best.
But I agree, perhaps a few more articles this week would be good
8I had eating issues a while back, it wasn't an ED but it was so scary because I knew that what I was doing was wrong, and now I know that I need to eat healthy and not deprive myself.
9I used to have an ED, but it never had anything to do with magazines and photoshopping. It's a psychological problem, rather than something rooted in envy.
10i don't think it's rooted in things like photoshopping either, but that certainly doesn't help. eating disorders would still exist without photoshopped celeb snapshots, and possibly would still exist in the same numbers... but i still feel like being able to view completely unrealistic standards ups my expectations for myself a little bit (while at the same time making me feel like absolute crap).
i think it's amazing how many people are really affected by EDs... even to small extents. even going just beyond things that are clinically diagnosable disorders, i don't think our society as a whole has a healthy concept of 'body image' and i think a lot of healthy people struggle with body image even without diagnosably severe disorders.
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