Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2025: “The Time is Now”

Written By Carissa Hannum

February 17, 2025 | By Carissa Hannum

 
 

Advocating for Awareness of Early Detection and Prevention of Eating Disorders

Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW) is a time to provide hope, support, and education for those impacted by eating disorders. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) has chosen the theme “The Time Is Now” to emphasize the importance of learning about eating disorders, raising awareness, and sharing resources.

This year’s campaign focuses on early detection, treatment, and advocacy for continued research. Public awareness plays a critical role in improving diagnosis, access to treatment, and recovery outcomes. If you have questions about eating disorders, you’re not alone—let’s dive into some important information.

What is the Truth About Eating Disorders?

The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) would like the public to know the following statistics and information about eating disorders this year:

Every 52 minutes someone dies due to their eating disorder. 

One of the most striking statistics being shared this year highlights the impact that eating disorders have on our general population.  Despite continued awareness each year, several barriers exist to individuals receiving appropriate treatment or knowledge to recover from an eating disorder. 

Anyone can suffer and be affected by an eating disorder

Eating disorders do not discriminate based on age, gender, race, religion, ethnicity, body shape, weight or sexuality. BIPOC communities experience eating disorders at the same or higher rates than white individuals. One in three people with an eating disorder identifies as male.

People of any size and shape can have an eating disorder.

A common misconception and stereotype is that only people medically underweight can suffer from eating disorders. The reality is that 94% of individuals with eating disorders live in “average” or “higher weight” bodies while only 6% live in medically underweight bodies.

No one chooses an eating disorder.

Many factors can lead to an eating disorder. Eating disorders are a coping mechanism that is created via several environmental, physiological, biological, genetic, societal, and social factors.

Essential Knowledge About Eating Disorders You Should Know

  • 9% of the US population or 28.8 million Americans will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives. 

  • Global eating disorder prevalence increased from 3.5% to 7.8% between 2000 and 2018.

  • 22% of children and adolescents worldwide show disordered eating.

  • Early treatment and intervention improves the course of prognosis and can lead to greater positive outcomes in recovery. 

  • One in five people with eating disorders seek treatment with an eating disorder specialist, meaning many people are going without adequate care. 

  • There are several barriers to care, including cost of treatment, lack of specialized care, not having health insurance coverage, shame/stigma, lack of awareness that one is experiencing an eating disorder. 

  • Although symptoms can be the same across race and ethnicity, many clinicians deny proper diagnosis based upon stigma and biases when assessing those that are BIPOC. 

  • Individuals that are at a higher weight or in larger bodies also experience stigma and are less likely to receive diagnosis although they have a greater risk of eating disorder behaviors. 

  • Weight stigma delays care as well as reduces distribution in the community.

All facts have been taken with permission of NEDA’s Eating disorder Awareness week campaign: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/edaw/

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders

Although eating disorders can manifest and present in many ways, here are some common signs and symptoms. It is still important to consult with a provider to explore your own unique symptoms and get the help that you need.

Medical Warning Signs

  • Delayed growth

  • Abnormal weight loss or weight gain

  • Delay of puberty/lack of menstrual cycle

  • Difficulty gaining weight

  • Low potassium readings

  • low heart rate

  • Muscle weakness

  • Dizziness upon standing up

  • Difficulty concentrating or sleeping

  • freaking bones more frequently

  • Frequent sore throat or other illnesses

  • Teeth degeneration

  • More frequent GI issues 

  • Decline in hair, skin, and nail health

Emotional/Behavioral Warning Signs 

  • Fear or aversion of gaining weight

  • Using the bathroom after meals or taking showers after meals

  • Evidence of purging or excessive bowel movements in the bathroom

  • Changes in demeanor or mood, for instance, isolating self more frequently from peers or the family

  • Becoming more secretive about eating habits/not wanting to eat in front of others

  • Frequent checking in the mirror and spending time exploring perceived flaws

  • Angry outbursts or mood swings

  • General experiences of low self-esteem

  • Fear of stomachaches, nausea, or vomiting that lead a child to eat certain foods in attempts to control stomachaches

  • Body image dissatisfaction/concern around body shape and size

  • Change in school or work-related performance (difficulty concentrating/focusing/drop in grades)

  • Utilizing exercise as a way to process emotions

  • Increasing one’s exercise routine or rigidity around routine

  • needing to exercise after meals or when they feel they ate “too much”

  • Feeling guilty or shameful after eating

  • Changes in eating habits from what was normative for the individual

  • Preoccupation with one’s weight

Food Related Warning Signs

  • Difficulty eating certain tastes or textures around food

  • Moving food around on one’s plate in an attempt to see as though more has been eaten 

  • Hiding food

  • Counting calories

  • Not eating during the day, but eating more caloric intake at night

  • Being secretive around food or meal times

  • Hiding food or evidence of food items in the room

  • Eating food a certain way and unable to change these rules without anxiety

  • Only having certain foods that child will eat

  • Dieting- kids are more likely to develop an eating disorder when dieting is present.

  • Feeling guilty after eating certain food items

Environmental Risk Factors

  • Recent life transitions (i.e. moving, starting high school)

  • Trauma (i.e. emotional, physical, sexual abuse)

  • Bullying

  • academic pressure/work pressure

  • Overscheduling

  • Going through puberty and understanding body changes

  • Family stress

  • Parents and peers attitudes towards food and body image

  • Having a family member with mental health issues or an eating disorder

  • History of mental health diagnoses (individuals with eating disorders tend to have another mental health diagnosis).

Where to Learn More About Eating Disorders

If you’re looking for reliable resources, these organizations provide education, support, and advocacy I highly recommend the following:

Finding a Specialist for Eating Disorder Treatment

I highly recommend utilizing The National Alliance for Eating Disorders’ website. Specialized providers are listed and vetted by the team at The National Alliance for Eating Disorders. They can send out a specialized list of outpatient and higher level of care providers, explore treatment options in your area, discuss levels of care, as well as provide questions to ask to vet providers in your area. 

Financial Support for Eating Disorder Recovery

If financial barriers are preventing you from seeking treatment, consider these options:

Hotlines for Immediate Help

Image of hot line phone for people to call for help and support with eating disorders, Monarch Wellness, DC, VA, MD

Source- Canva.com

If you need immediate support, reach out to these helplines:

  • Call the National Alliance’s Toll Free Helpline Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET at 1-866-662-1235.

  • The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders at 1-888-375-7767 from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST.

How to Get Help for Yourself or a Loved One

If you suspect you or a loved one may be struggling with an eating disorder here are several options for exploring support:

Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2025 is a call to action: The Time Is Now to raise awareness, advocate for early intervention, and ensure everyone gets the support they deserve. If you or a loved one needs help, know that you are not alone—resources and professionals are available to support you on the path to recovery.

Reach Out

If you’re considering professional support, we’re here to help. Please reach out to schedule a free, no-commitment consultation. There’s no fee and no obligation—just click the button below to get started.

You can also call or text us at 202-656-3681, or email us directly. Give yourself the opportunity for the support you deserve.

Carissa Hannum
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