National Eating Disorders Week: Why it Matters

            This week is America’s “National Eating Disorder Awareness Week”, dedicated to raising awareness surrounding eating disorders and ultimately preventing and reducing the stigma surrounding them.[1] According to the NEDA, “eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses- not choices – and it’s important to recognize the pressures, attitudes and behaviors that shape the disorder.”[2] Last year, NEDA spanned all 50 states and 30 countries, and was able to raise awareness for these important issues by getting people involved in a variety of different ways. Helping out is easy: Participants can distribute info pamphlets, put up posters, register as a Volunteer Speaker, post on Facebook, and more. As last year proved, one small action can go a long way on the path to affecting change.

            It is estimated that 8 million Americans have an eating disorder today- 7 million women, and 1 million men. Further, nearly half of all Americans personally know somebody with an eating disorder. Think about that Brunonians: is there somebody in your life affected by Anorexia or Bulimia Nervosa? Do you listen carefully to what’s not being said, as much as what actually is? While many people condemn eating disorders as “fake” or unserious illnesses, you might be startled to know that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. 20% of people suffering from anorexia, for instance, will prematurely die from related complications. With the pressure to be thin ever increasing, particularly via ads, TV, movies and magazines, the likelihood to develop an eating disorder grows correspondingly higher.[3]

            The average woman sees 400 to 600 advertisements per day, and by the time she is 17 years old, she has received 250,000 commercial messages. Consider the psychological impact of those influences. Given how often the ‘Thin is Beautiful’ message gets shoved down our throats, it’s a wonder that more women don’t contract eating disorders. While only 9% of commercials have a direct statement about beauty, many more implicitly emphasize its importance. Subliminal messaging greatly influences the developing woman’s subconscious, and can have far-reaching and even devastating health effects.[4]

            Many people often forget that eating disorders- like any other serious illness- require significant treatment. Between 3 to 6 months of rehab is recommended for patients, but 80% of women who have access to that care are sent home weeks earlier than the recommended stay. In-patient treatment for eating disorder ranges from $500 and $2,000 per day- an estimated $30,000 per month. It gets worse: outpatient treatments can extent to $100,000 or more.[5] That’s roughly two years tuition at Brown University!

            If these statistics don’t hammer home the message, many celebrities that we all know have also been affected by eating disorders: Paula Abdul, Elton John, Princess Di and Joan Rivers, to name a few. Even Lady Gaga admits to having battled with Bulimia early in her career.

            So if anyone you know is or has been affected- and you want to do your part in raising awareness for these issues- check out the NEDA website and see how you can get involved during National Eating Disorder Awareness week. As little as a simple Facebook post could end up saving a life, or at least helping to reduce the stigma that surrounds eating disorders today.