Eating Disorders Awareness Week
- Mar 3, 2017
- 2 min read
With it being Eating Disorders Awareness Week, here at Like-Minded we've decided to bring you some important information.
Eating disorders are said to affect at least 725,000 people in the UK. With 10% of that figure being men.
This week every year people gather together to help raise awareness about eating disorders, with many people coming together to tell their stories as well as getting information on how they can begin recovery.
Many people have heard of eating disorders, but do we really know what they are.
What is anorexia?
Anorexia is taking in less food than you should, leading to low weight. This often leads to people assuming that anorexia is about losing weight and dieting, but this is not the case. It is however often connected to low self-esteem and negative body image feelings.
What is Bulimia?
Bulimia is said to be one of the most common eating problems.
You might find that you eat large amounts of food in one sitting due to feeling upset or even worried. Which can then lead to ‘purging’ or vomiting.
There are also a number of other disorders, such as, Binge Eating Disorder and EDNOS (eating disorder not specified).
Where to get help?
Contact your GP
Talk to family and friends.
But for more information
Here you will find a number of organisations that can point you in the right direction and give you the support you need.
After looking into this week and the awareness it creates, I came across an article written by Frances Coleman-Williams, who suffered with anorexia. And it was the last part of her article that stood out to me, for she said, ‘There is hope. Although I suffered from an eating disorder for many years, with the right support, I have recovered’.
With this in mind, Eating Disorder Awareness Week can help others like Frances get the help they need. If you would like to learn more or join in I have found some fundraising events that you can be part of. You can also read Frances' article here.
Here are just a few things going on to raise awareness:
Beat (Beating eating Disorders) has its ‘Sock It to Eating Disorders’ day which is on 3rd March. To join in all you have to do is wear your silliest socks and send them an image using the hashtag #SockItSeflie.
NED (National Eating Disorders Association) has also been running ‘Sock It to Ed’ which began February 1st, again just take a photo of your silly socks and send it to the Sock It to Ed Facebook page.
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