Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2025
The Time Is Now: Recognizing Eating Disorders and the Importance of Awareness
Every year, during the week dedicated to eating disorder awareness, we come together as a community to shed light on one of the most challenging and misunderstood mental health conditions. Eating disorders—such as anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and others—affect millions of individuals worldwide, yet the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding these conditions often prevent people from seeking help.
Eating disorders have the second-highest mortality rate among mental health conditions, with one person dying from an eating disorder every 52 minutes, yet many are unaware of the barriers that can make it difficult to find recovery, including a lack of understanding about eating disorders and their impact.
This Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW), we invite you to join our efforts, in collaboration with NEDA, to create urgency around the need to recognize eating disorders as a public health crisis because “The Time is Now.” #EDAW2025 is an opportunity to center education about eating disorders which is critical for raising awareness, early detection, and access to quality resources.
This blog contains information about how to identify an eating disorder in yourself or in a loved one, the barriers to accessing support, and resources both locally and nationally.
How to identify an Eating Disorder in yourself or a loved one:
Eating disorders can be difficult to spot, especially since they often develop gradually and might not always be apparent to others. However, recognizing the signs early is crucial for getting the right help and support. Whether you’re concerned for yourself or a loved one, understanding the symptoms of an eating disorder can be the first step toward seeking professional treatment and intervention.
While eating disorders can affect anyone, they are more common among adolescents and young adults, especially in high-pressure environments. If you or someone you know is showing signs of an eating disorder, it’s essential to understand what to look for so that you can take the necessary steps to support recovery.
Key Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders
Preoccupation with Food, Body Shape, and Weight: One of the most common signs of an eating disorder is a constant focus on food, weight, and body image. Individuals may frequently talk about food or frequently engage in dieting practices. They might be overly concerned with counting calories or may constantly express dissatisfaction with their appearance. A person may also avoid social situations involving food due to anxiety about eating in front of others.
Severe Restriction or Excessive Eating Habits: People with eating disorders may engage in extreme eating behaviors:
Anorexia nervosa: Severe restriction of food intake, leading to dangerously low body weight.
Atypical Anorexia Nervosa: severe restriction of food intake leading to weight loss, however, remaining within normal or above normal weight range.
Bulimia nervosa: Cycles of binge eating followed by purging behaviors such as vomiting or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain.
Binge eating disorder: Eating large amounts of food in a short period, often accompanied by feelings of shame or guilt.
Physical Signs: Eating disorders can manifest physically. Common physical signs may include:
Significant weight loss or fluctuations in weight
Dizziness, fainting, or feeling fatigued
Digestive problems (such as constipation or bloating)
Changes in skin, hair, or nails, such as dry skin, hair thinning, or brittle nails
Cold intolerance (feeling cold often, even in warm environments)
*It is important to note here that often physical symptoms of restriction can start to appear quite later in the progression of the eating disorder. And for some, some of these may never show during the course of the eating disorder. Eating disorders can occur in people with any body size or shape.
4. Distorted Body Image: A person with an eating disorder may have a distorted perception of their body. They may engage in “body checking behaviors” such as frequent checking in reflective surfaces, measuring body parts or weighing. This can lead to dangerous behaviors like over-exercising, skipping meals, or using weight-loss supplements. This distorted self-image is often a key indicator of an eating disorder.
5. Withdrawal from Social Eating: As eating disorders often involve secretive behaviors surrounding food, individuals may start to isolate themselves from social situations where food is present. They may also avoid activities that they once enjoyed, particularly those that involve eating in front of others, like family meals, social gatherings, or going out to eat with friends.
6. Emotional and Behavioral Changes: Eating disorders can lead to significant mood swings, anxiety, and depression. A person may become increasingly irritable or withdrawn, particularly when discussing food or their appearance. Feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness may accompany eating habits, making it difficult to have a balanced relationship with food.
7. Compensatory Behaviors: These are behaviors that are used to “make up for” or punish the body for food intake. Compensatory behaviors can be taking laxatives, purging or excessive exercise. Individuals may engage in intense physical activity as a way to burn off calories or control weight. This can lead to overuse injuries, exhaustion, or an unhealthy obsession with exercise.
8. Rigid Food Preferences or Fears involving Food: Could be linked to a lessor known eating disorder called Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). ARFID involves a feeding disturbance that leads to low weight or nutritional deficiencies due to low appetite, avoidance of foods or narrow selection of foods related to sensory issues, fears around eating such as choking or suffering other aversive consequences from eating. It often occurs with Autism or ADHD or a traumatic experience involving food, but not always.
What are the risk factors for developing an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders are complex conditions. They are influenced by a range of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. While anyone can develop an eating disorder, certain risk factors may increase the likelihood of someone developing one. Recognizing these risk factors is a critical step in early intervention and prevention.
At The Current, we understand the importance of identifying the underlying causes and triggers of eating disorders. By learning more about the factors that contribute to these conditions, we can help individuals and families take proactive steps toward better mental health. We often do this by using a therapy called Radically Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RO-DBT). You can read more about this approach here.
Genetics or biotemperament: Genetics play a role in the development of eating disorders. Individuals with a family history of eating disorders, mental health conditions like depression or anxiety, neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD or Autism, or other disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), may be at higher risk. Research shows that certain genetic traits, such as perfectionism or a predisposition to anxiety, can increase the likelihood of developing disordered eating behaviors. If you have close family members who have struggled with an eating disorder, it’s important to be aware of your risk and keep an eye on any changes in your eating patterns or body image.
Environmental experiences: Environmental experiences combined with genetic or biotemperament predispositions can aid in the development of eating disorders.
Traumatic experiences such as physical, emotional or sexual abuse, assault, or bullying or societal trauma such as poverty, fat phobia, racism, or discrimination.
Family influence on thinness, perfection, “good and bad” foods or stressful dynamics around meal times. Family members who have dieted or sent other messages of dissatisfaction with their own bodies.
Athletics, especially those that emphasize appearance, weight class, or performance, can increase the risk of developing an eating disorder. Gymnastics, ballet, wrestling, running and bodybuilding are examples of activities where athletes may feel pressure to maintain a certain physique or body weight. The combination of intense training and an emphasis on appearance can make athletes more vulnerable to disordered eating behaviors. Most athletes also tend to have biotemperments that include perfectionistic, disciplined, and competitiveness traits, which are helpful traits, and also place athletes at greater risk to develop eating disorders. Eating disorders are more prevalent among the athlete population than non-athletes. 20% of female athletes and 8% of male athletes will develop an eating disorder at some point in their athletic career.
Social Media influence with constant exposure to edited images, filters, and idealized beauty standards can negatively impact self-image. Social media platforms may amplify body shaming and unrealistic portrayals of what is considered "beautiful" or "acceptable." Cultural emphasis on thinness is often equated with beauty, success, and worth. The constant emphasis on achieving a certain body type can trigger or exacerbate an eating disorder in those who feel pressured to conform.
Life transitions or stressful events such as puberty or adolescence, moving, school or job changes, sickness or diagnosis of an illness, changing of roles such as motherhood, divorce, grief or loss can all potentially contribute to the development of eating disorders when combined with genetic or biological factors.
What makes getting treatment difficult?
Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW) is a critical opportunity to raise awareness, break down barriers, and encourage open conversations about the complexities of these conditions. It’s a time to highlight the importance of seeking help, the effectiveness of treatment, and the support available for those in need.
Unfortunately, many individuals suffering from eating disorders do not seek treatment because they fear judgment, don’t know where to turn, or don’t believe they are “sick enough” to need help. This is why awareness is so crucial.
Awareness helps people recognize the signs and understand that eating disorders are serious medical conditions that require professional intervention. With the right treatment and support, recovery is not only possible—it’s achievable.
Lack of awareness: Due to lack of education and awareness around eating disorders, many individuals may not even realize they are struggling with one. Diet culture is prevalent and impactful in our society. Consistently being on harmful diets or attempting to maintain rigid workout regimens to achieve a certain body type can quickly escalate into eating disorders. Attempting to improve your health is not bad, however, if you are spending the majority of your day preoccupied with food, weight or your body, paired with any of the signs, symptoms and risk factors above, you may want to consider speaking to an eating disorder professional.
“Not Sick Enough” Phenomenon: Eating disorders are truly complex mental and physical conditions. One of the hallmarks of this disease is the belief that your eating disorder may not be severe enough to warrant any treatment. The ‘sick enough’ phenomenon in eating disorders often involves individuals having the perception they will never be sick enough to need or deserve treatment for their disordered eating. This phenomenon is often reinforced by receiving praise for weight loss or by receiving feedback from medical professionals who are not trained in eating disorders that they are physically healthy, even though they are mentally struggling or a short time away from suffering from physical impacts of the eating disorder.
Societal reinforcement: Cultural and societal pressures can play a significant role in the development and maintenance of eating disorders. From unrealistic beauty standards portrayed in the media to the emphasis on body image in many communities, individuals may feel compelled to conform to certain ideals, leading to disordered eating behaviors. Furthermore, individuals are often praised for weight loss and little attention paid to how the weight loss occurred. The feedback of validation for weight loss can reinforce eating disorder behaviors.
Financial barriers or lack of access to specialized care: Eating disorders are complex and multifaceted, often requiring a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. This can include therapy, nutritional counseling, medical supervision, and psychiatry. Some eating disorders may need to be treated at a higher level of care such as in residential treatment centers or inpatient hospital units. Unfortunately, in many areas, there is a limited availability of professionals or treatment centers who specialize in eating disorders. This is especially true in rural or underserved communities, where individuals may not have access to the appropriate resources and specialists. Often, insurance does not cover specialized services or services at higher levels of care. To overcome this challenge, often there are free online support groups and resources can also be valuable for those in areas with limited access to specialized care. Some examples are listed at the end of this blog.
What to do if you or a loved one may be struggling with an Eating Disorder:
Eating disorders are challenging conditions, but with the right care and support, recovery is possible. Early detection and intervention is key. At The Current, we are committed to breaking down the barriers to accessing treatment and ensuring that everyone who struggles with an eating disorder can receive the compassionate, evidence-based care they deserve. If you or someone you know is facing an eating disorder, don't wait—reach out to us for help today. You don’t have to face this journey alone. Below is a list of resources that can aid in accessing additional information or resources:
Local Eating Disorder Resources:
University of Missouri Healthcare Adolescent Medicine
Show-Me ECHO Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders
Missouri Eating Disorder Council
Missouri Eating Disorder Association
National Eating Disorder Resources:
National Eating Disorder Association
We invite you to collaborate with us in our awareness efforts for Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2025 (#EDAW) by sharing this blog, liking or sharing our posts on our social media platforms, or by engaging in conversations in your community about the information you learned here today. The Time Is Now and together we can make this EDAW a success by raising greater awareness, increasing empathy, and providing support to all who are impacted by eating disorders.