Eating Disorders Awareness Week: Key Statistics & How You Can Help
Trigger warning: this post discusses eating disorders, which may be sensitive for some readers. Please proceed with care and always seek support when needed.
Support resources: NEDA, NAMI, ERC, The Emily Program, ANAD, Crisis Text Line
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week
Updates for this campaign can be found HERE
Hello readers, this week is an important one, and I am excited to collaborate with NEDA to share key statistics and valuable resources that you can reference and share with others. Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is an annual campaign to educate the public about the realities of eating disorders and provide visibility and support to the many people impacted by EDs.
EDAW 2025 takes places this week, Monday 2/24 through Sunday 3/2. This year’s theme is “The Time is Now”, and it highlights the importance of encouraging knowledge sharing, early detection and treatment, and support for ongoing research.
If this is a cause that resonates with you, I encourage you to explore the resources and data to truly understand eating disorders and the depth of their impact on loved ones. I am certain this EDAW can be a turning point for increased awareness, empathy, and support by anyone impacted.
Why EDAW?
Over the years, I’ve witnessed close loved ones, friends, and acquaintances endure the anguish of eating disorders. Eating disorders are not simply about food. They are about complex emotional and psychological challenges. It is painful to watch the way this disorder can take hold of someone, but it has also inspired me to dedicate myself to spreading awareness and providing resources to those in need. Recovery is possible, but it requires a shift in how we view these struggles – an openness to understanding and empathy.
Breaking the Silence: Data-Driven Insights
Ever since high school, I have done extensive research on eating disorders and their impact on society. If any of you are interested in learning more in depth, I have so many resources, books, and important projects to use for educating ourselves.
Since this time period in my life, I felt like this was almost a ‘silent disorder’ that was tremendously overlooked. While we have certainly made significant progress in encouraging discussion and awareness, I feel that there is still difficulty in properly understanding what the disorder really means. Most importantly, creating spaces for those affected to feel safe in seeking help still proves to be a challenge. Looking at data really puts into perspective how devastating and real this disorder is.
According to NEDA, eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness behind opiate addiction. I have seen very similar striking data points reported from many other studies and census data.
From the Harvard School of Public Health, let’s explore some great data from their comprehensive studies for a U.S. initiative to prevent eating disorders (See this link for the full report: STRIPED).
Note: Remember visualizations from The Lab are interactive unless otherwise noted. Find some freedom to play around with the viz to maximize the insights!
By Valentina Bernal via Flourish
I adapted this study’s data into my own map version. If you want to explore their statistics further, I encourage you to visit the report directly for some great visuals.
The overall percentage of Americans who will have some type of eating disorder in their lifetime comes out to 9% according to this study, with women being twice as likely to develop an eating disorder. I am no expert, but if I had to make an assumption based on the impact of social media pressures and the availability of potentially damaging content at our fingertips, I would not be surprised if this number has increased since then.
The crucial takeaway from this data is the contrast between the widespread presence of eating disorders and the common misconceptions surrounding how the disorder may present itself. My personal observation is that these misunderstandings are the underlying cause for lack of conversation and education around how to effectively navigate recovery. As a result, it is not uncommon for people to go undiagnosed for a long period of time or even worse, their whole lives.
The Time Is Now
The power is in our hands to use the momentum around mental health awareness, and truly drive action for a more compassionate approach towards understanding eating disorders. An ED can manifest itself in many ways, and we may not even realize that it may be a friend or loved one battling with recovery. Mindful Data Lab serves as a place for continuous learning to foster a mindfully empowered life. Everyone deserves to experience their own greatest life possible, with the ability to realize their limitless potential.
Your support is an investment in a future where eating disorders are no longer overlooked. It’s about creating a world where people don’t feel ashamed to seek help and where resources are readily available to anyone who needs them. Every bit of encouragement brings us closer to breaking the silence and offering hope to those who need it most.
Resources for Involvement, Education, and Sharing
These are some fantastic resources that can be shared and are an amazing way to bring people’s attention towards embracing education, encouraging open-mindedness, and driving action.
Screening Tool: Determine whether it is time for support and get connected with appropriate treatment options.
Advocate for Change: Eating disorders education should be part of every mental health curriculum across the United States. Reach out to your state representative and request they pass similar legislation to New York State Senate Bill 5198. We have templates for New York state residents and non New York state residents here. Please download the appropriate template and follow instructions on next steps to reach your state representative.
Flyers: Print and post our informational flyers around your community.
Become a Volunteer: Join a community of dedicated volunteers and advocates committed to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders through mission-centered programs such as NEDA Walks, Campus Warriors, and awareness campaigns.
Treatment Options: Eating disorder treatment providers in your area or online.
Critical Learning Resources: An online center that connects individuals and loved ones with critical knowledge and lived experiences to find the help and support they need to navigate through all stages of their recovery journey.
Get Involved in Events Happening for EDAW
Even if you can’t make the sessions, make sure you still register if you are interested so that you can receive the recorded version to your email. These sessions should be very thought provoking, data driven, and insightful! Of course, please share these with anyone else that might want to be involved.
Tuesday, February 25th 1pm ET:
Instagram Conversation Eating Disorders in the Black Community
Join Dedra Tufon Bauer, reigning Ms. Black USA, and NEDA Board Member Paula Edwards-Gayfield for an important talk on the impact of eating disorders within the Black community.
Wednesday February 26th 3:15 pm ET:
Instagram Live with SkyDxddy
Hear SkyDxddy’s powerful song “Her” and learn what inspired her to create music that shines a spotlight on body image.
Wednesday February 26th at 6 pm ET:
Webinar on “Bridging the Gap: Increasing Access to Eating Disorders Care Through Digital Solutions,” co-hosted by NEDA, Eating Disorders Resource Center (EDRC), and Kahani
In this webinar Mehek Mohan, co-founder of Kahani, will share how digital tools complement traditional therapy, who can benefit from these interventions, best practices for integrating technology into care, and a live demo of Kahani, an evidence-based recovery platform.
Thursday, February 27th at 12pm ET:
Webinar on Understanding Eating Disorders As Anxiety Disorders: The Role of Fear and the Need for Safety in Collaboration with the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
This webinar presented by Dr. Norman Kim explores the overlap between eating disorders and anxiety disorders.
Readers, I want to thank you for being here this week, and I hope you found this entry especially empowering and meaningful. Please feel free to connect with me for any follow up questions, concerns, or suggestions. I hope you have an amazing week!
“Your story is important. Your voice matters. Recovery is possible, and you are not alone.”
References:
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The Economic Cost of Eating Disorders Report: Infographic. Retrieved from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The Economic Cost of Eating Disorders in the United States of America: A Report by STRIPED. Retrieved from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
