U.S. National Eating Disorder Awareness Week
Last Week in February Highlights NEDA Events and Disordered Eating
Feb 25, 2009
By raising awareness through educational events, the goal of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week in the U.S., is to ultimately put an end to eating disorders, body image problems and any relevant issues. This means addressing any problems creating roadblocks to treatment. Roadblocks to treatment include any personal, financial or societal barricades that reduce treatment access.
NEDA (National Eating Disorder Awareness Week) Events
There are two upcoming pledge and awareness walks scheduled:
- Woodland Hills, CA: Pierce College, March 1, 2009, 1:00pm, Hosted by The Bella Vita and TAABOO; and,
- Lexington, KY: Coldstrem Park, March 28, 2009, Check-in 9:45am, Walk 11:00am to 12:00pm.,Hosted by Kimberly Hoffmeiste. [1].
Two walks have already transpired:
- Lowell, MA: UMASS Lowell Campus Recreation Center Indoor Track, February 22, 2009, Hosted by Kolleen Carney, and;
- Seattle, WA: Seattle Downtown YMCA, February 21, 2009, Check-in 10:30am, Hosted by NEDA. [2].
Additional Events:
Thursday, Feb. 26, 7 pm, New York City's Movie Event seating is limited, must RSVP (see link); and,
Seattle,Washington will be hosting a silent art auction, February 26, 2009, 6:00pm to 9:00pm, Sound Lounge,115 Blanchard Street (see National Eating Disorders website for further details). [3].
Themes of the 2009 NEDA Campaign
The themes for the NEDA include:
- "...until eating disorders are history." Eating disorder awareness includes stressing the facts that eating disorders must be taken seriously as any major illnesses would be. No one chooses to develop an eating disorder. There must be financial help to pay for treatment. There must be a cumulative approach to education. There must be ongoing funding sources available to aid in the research for more advanced treatment and cures. These objectives will be ongoing, "until eating disorders are history." [4].
- "Be comfortable in your genes." Struggling to attain media's images for beauty and success can mean battling with one's genetic code. Warfare with self can create the stage for severe dieting and related behaviors, and thus, ultimately, an eating disorder. Even though one should aim for a healthy lifestyle based upon their own peculiar body type, fighting against the genetic code will lead to frustration. NEDA wants people to feel tranquil with their own unique body image and not feel pressured to meet the standards of others, therefore, accept and be comfortable within one's own genes and jeans. [5].
- "Eating disorders are illnesses, not choices." Eating disorders develop from a combination of factors the crux of which appear to be mixed with genetics and the environment. This condition can prove to be fatal if left untreated. Within just the United States, 10 million females and 1 million males grapple with this disorder and 25 million more grapple with forms of binge eating. These figures may not be entirely accurate. There may be more, however, due to the stigma involved, many cases go unreported. [6].
- "Help is available, and recovery is possible." Treatment for eating disorders is constantly improving. Though eating disorders are potentially life threatening and serious, help is available and many sufferers do recover. With the help of supportive family, friends and the treatment networks, there is hope. [7].
Other articles relevant:
Eating Disorders Mental Health Condition
Parents Coping With Eating Disorders
Sources
[1,2] NEDA Walks (National Eating Disorders.org., written for a website, no dates, authors).
[3] Silent Auction (National Eating Disorders.org., written for a website, no dates, authors).
[4,5,6,7] Eating Disorders Key Messages (National Eating Disorders.org., written for a website, no dates, authors).
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