National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, February 27-March 4, 2025.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association 28.8 million Americans will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime. A person dies from an eating disorder every 52 minutes.

This post is for those with are struggling with an eating disorder and for coaches, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings and friends– chances are you know or will know someone who has an eating disorder. 

The goal of Eating Disorders Awareness Week is to raise awareness about the reality and seriousness of eating disorders, educate, provide hope and offer resources and support to those who are struggling.

Today we’re covering what an eating disorder is, types of eating disorders, signs of eating disorders and the resources, support and treatment options for those who have an eating disorder and for their loved ones.

What is an eating disorder?

Eating disorders are serious, complex, life-threatening illnesses. Treatment requires an interdisciplinary approach by doctors, mental health providers, registered dietitians and other necessary providers.

Eating disorders include: 

• Anorexia nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa
• Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
• Other specified feeding and eating disorder (OSFED)
• Pica
• Rumination disorder

Both men and women can develop eating disorders. Women are up to five times more likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder but there are many people (including men) who go undiagnosed. 

Runners are particularly at higher risk for developing an eating disorders due to societal pressures to be “lighter to run faster” and to “look like a runner.”

EATING DISORDERS DO NOT HAVE A “LOOK” 

People of all ages, genders, backgrounds, body shapes and body weights can develop an eating disorder. 

Eating Disorder Risk Factors

Risk factors include:

• Having a relative with an eating disorder like a mother, father or sibling 
• Having a relative with a mental health history
• Having a personal history of dieting  
• Low Energy Availability (LEA): a mismatch between energy intake and energy expenditure causing inadequate energy for the body that negatively impacts the body functions and health and performance outcomes
• Having perfectionist tendencies
• Having body image struggles 
• Being bullied about weight 
• Experiencing trauma 

Signs of an Eating Disorder

A few (of many) warning signs:

• Obsession with appearance, weight loss, calories, dieting, exercise 
• Eliminating of certain foods and/or food groups 
• Social isolation and withdrawal from friends and family
• Following certain food rituals around meal/snack time 
• Excessive exercise
• Loss of menstruation in premenopausal women 
• Abnormal laboratory findings (iron, thyroid, hormones levels, etc)
• Being cold all the time
• Frequent dizziness and fainting 

What’s the difference between an eating disorder and disordered eating?

Per the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), “disordered eating and eating disorders are related as they both pertain to problematic eating patterns. While they share similarities, there are significant differences between these disorders. Disordered eating refers to a spectrum of problematic eating behaviors and distorted attitudes towards food, weight, shape, and appearance. Often these behaviors include dieting, skipping meals, fasting, restricting food intake, eliminating specific foods or food groups, binge eating, excessive use of diuretics, laxatives, and weight loss medications, as well as the use of compensatory behaviors (purging, excessive exercising). Disordered eating patterns can vary in severity but do not meet the frequency, duration and/or psychological criteria for a diagnosable eating disorder.”

Another sign of disordered eating is thinking about food all the time. If you struggle with this, check out my post on How to Stop Thinking About Food All the Time.

Those with disordered eating are at high risk for developing an eating disorder. 

There are many stigmas and shame that surround eating disorders that may prevent someone from opening up to their loved ones about their struggles or getting the help that they need. 

If you are struggling, or know someone who needs help, here are some resources,  free and low cost support options and ways to find treatment.

You are worthy and deserve to get the help that you need.