National Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2007: February 25 - March 3

•    As many as 10 million females in the US are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder.

•    35% of “normal dieters” progress to pathological dieting; of those, 20 – 25% progress to partial or full-syndrome disorders.

•    For females ages 15 - 24, the mortality rate associated with Anorexia Nervosa is 12 times higher than the death rate of ALL other causes of death.

•    Anorexia Nervosa has the highest premature fatality rate of any mental illness.

(Source: NEDA)


10 Signs You or Someone You Love May Have an Eating Disorder

1.    Drastic weight loss.
2.    Preoccupation with counting calories.
3.    The need to weigh yourself several times a day.
4.    Excessive exercise.
5.    Binge eating or purging.
6.    Food rituals, like taking tiny bites, skipping food groups or rearranging food on the plate.
7.    Avoiding meals or only wanting to eat alone.
8.    Taking laxatives or diuretics.
9.    Smoking to curb appetite.
10.  Persistent view of yourself as fat that worsens despite weight loss.

In its 20th year, National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW) is the nation's largest eating disorders outreach effort. During this week, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) aims to reach every individual in the nation with the message that eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses, not choices. Every year, eating disorder professionals, health care providers, celebrities, educators, social workers, family members and students come together to share their personal stories, teach about the importance of promoting positive body image and raise awareness about the dangers of eating disorders and the need for early intervention and treatment. NEDAW also reaches thousands of individuals struggling with eating disorders and their loved ones, helping them to access much needed treatment and support.