NEDA Launches 27th Annual National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Themed I Had No Idea

NEW YORK - Feb. 4, 2014 - PRLog -- The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)is launching its 27^th annual National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAwareness Week), Feb. 23 - March 1, in an annual campaignto bring public attention to the critical needs of people with eating disorders and their families.

During NEDAwareness Week, thousands of people come together in communities across the country, hosting events to raise awareness about body image and bring national attention to the severity of eating disorders, which are bio-psycho-social illnesses with often devastating – sometimes life-threatening – consequences.  While there is hope and recovery is possible – particularly with early intervention – many people suffer from the long-term effects of these illnesses. And many people (including doctors) just don’t recognize the signs!

Themed I Had No Idea in 2014, individuals can participate in NEDAwareness week by attending events, conducting outreach in their communities or joining NEDA’s planned social media campaign. Some of the many events planned for the week include presentations and health fairs in schools and on college campuses; screenings of informational films; fashion shows featuring men and women of all body types; art shows; Scale-Smashing events (encouraging people to examine their “relationship” with the scale and begin a dialog); The Great Jeans Giveaway (encouraging people to get rid of jeans that don’t fit and to “be comfortable in your genes”); and NEDA Walks. Also to help promote NEDAwareness Week, NYC’s Empire State Building will again be lit in NEDA’s signature green and blue colors the night ofFeb. 25 to put a spotlight on the fight against eating disorders.

Commented Lynn Grefe, president and CEO of NEDA, “What you don’t know can hurt you … or someone you love. It is time to get the dialogue going in communities across the country and to educate ourselves to recognize the signs of an eating disorder, which are life-threatening illnesses. But there is hope and there is help, particularly with early intervention.”

I had no idea … that you can be too thin … that over-exercising can lead to an eating disorder … that 35% of “normal” dieters progress to pathological dieting …that an eating disorder can kill you or lead to permanent physical damage … that [I, my daughter, son, sister, brother, friend] had a problem.

Research and NEDA program outcomes demonstrate that education and outreach leads to increases in knowledge of resources and help-seeking behavior for those in need of support for an eating disorder.

NEDA encourages individuals to get the conversation started in every community by pledging to do just one thing to raise awareness and provide critical information on eating disorders and related issues.  Everyone can participate by planning and/or getting involved in local NEDAwareness Week events and activities; providing information and resources; and by encouraging community members to model acceptance and celebration of diversity in body shapes and sizes.

What’s Happening Virtually Everywhere ...

During NEDAwareness Week, NEDA will host free webinars, addressing a variety of issues surrounding eating disorders.  Space is limited and participants must pre-register. To sign up, visit:  www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/webinars

Eating Disorders in the LGBTQ Community

Tues., Feb. 11, 3:30 - 5 p.m. EST

Chase Banister, MDIV, MSW, LCSW, CEDS

Eating Disorders at and Beyond Mid-Life

Thurs., Feb. 20, 1 - 2:30 p.m. EST

Margo Maine, PhD — Karen Samuels, PhD — Denise Folcik

Neurobiology and Disordered Eating: How Our Brains Guide Our Forks

Tues. Feb. 25, noon - 1:30 p.m. EST

Scott E. Moseman, MD — Leah Graves, RD, LD, FAED

Eating Disorders in African American Communities

Wed., Feb. 26, 3 - 4:30 p.m. EST

Gayle Brooks, MD — Gwen Vann — Benjamin O’Keefe

What’s Happening in Your Community During NEDAwareness Week?

Check it Out at:  www.NEDAwareness.org