There may be someone you know who is affected by an eating disorder. It might not be your relative or a close friend, but it may be someone you see often enough to recognize that person needs help. February 26th through March 3rd is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week… a time for public awareness, an opportunity to learn more and perhaps a moment to help someone who is in need.
According to National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) there are 10 million women and 1 million men struggling with eating disorders. Most commonly observed among college aged students, eating disorders are considerably increasing among middle school aged girls and boys.
There is more to eating disorders than food and body image, as it might initially seem. Most often they are a way to control one’s feelings and emotions that otherwise take over a person’s life. Those feelings usually stem from a variety of factors with genetics and family relationships being the highest on the list. According to the National Eating Disorder Association, the four major factors that contribute to eating disorders include psychological, interpersonal, social and biological measures.
Yes, the condition is more complicated than one might initially think, but becoming aware and showing your support provides a great chance to save another life. Parents are the most important resource and support for those struggling with an eating disorder and friends are next in line.
What do you think is being done to better understand and treat eating disorders, especially in the world of teenagers? Share your opinion with us on Facebook and tell us what you think should be done differently to put an end to this disorder.
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