Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Content warning: discussion of eating disorders, signs and symptoms. If you need help with an eating disorder, contact Beat Eating Disorders for confidential support and advice on 0808 801 0677

If you’re under 18, call the BEAT Youthline on 0808 801 0711.

When is Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Eating Disorder Awareness week falls annually on the last week of February. This yearly event, set up by Beat Eating Disorders, and aims to end the suffering of those with eating disorders. To do this, they set up events, produce resources, and run a helpline offering advice to all who need it.

How do eating disorders affect lives?

More than a million people in the UK suffer from an eating disorder. It’s likely that this figure is a lot higher, a lot of people keep their illness secret.There are no genders, ages or backgrounds more likely to suffer. Eating orders don’t discriminate.

• People with eating disorders can experience symptoms and signs like the following:
• Spending a lot of time worrying about weight and body shape
• Avoiding food-centred socialising
• Eating very little
• Vomiting or taking laxatives after food
• Exercising too much
• Having very strict habits or routines around food
• Changes in mood such as being withdrawn, anxious or depressed
• Feeling cold, tired or dizzy
• Pains, tingling or numbness in arms and legs (poor circulation)
• Feeling your heart racing, fainting or feeling faint
• Problems with digestion, such as bloating, constipation or diarrhoea
• Weight being very high or very low 
• Not getting a period or other delayed signs of puberty

How do I get involved? 

Beat Eating Disorders have set up a range of ways to get involved, this year. From sponsored walks, to video game streams, to simply learning how to open up a sensitive conversation with a sufferer, there’s something for everyone. 

These ideas are socially distanced, and can be undertaken as part of a remote team—since COVID-19 has seen an uptick in eating disorders, this week is an invaluable tool in helping people with a serious illness. 

With an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with Health Assured you can provide your staff with the wellbeing support they deserve. Contact Health Assured today to find out more.