Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2023

Ava Dzurenda, Staff Writer|February 26, 2023

Eating Disorders Awareness Week, a global campaign created through the National Eating Disorders Association, will take place Feb. 27- March 5. The campaign’s focus is to provide educational opportunities to the public and support individuals affected by eating disorders.

According to NEDA, the mission statement for the 2023 EDAW is “celebrating strength through experience and knowledge by recognizing that it’s time for change.”

NEDA research finds that more than 28.8 million Americans will experience an eating disorder at some point during their lifetime. Since the start of the pandemic, the NEDA crisis hotline has experienced a 107 percent increase of contacts.

Eating disorders can often affect individuals during college. For some, the increased stress and anxiety can correlate to the manifestation of an eating disorder. Despite stereotypes, eating disorders can affect anyone and have the highest mortality rate of all mental health disorders.

One SFU student expressed the importance of eating disorder awareness and funding.

“There are so many stereotypes about eating disorders, and awareness is important for that reason,” said the student. “Only 6 percent of those with eating disorders are clinically underweight and that is something that many people don’t realize.

“It is a mental illness.

“I wish that more funding was provided for eating disorder treatment. Insurance oftentimes won’t cover the treatment that you desperately need if you do not meet the strict criteria laid out in the DSM (Diagnostic Statistical Manual).

“The system, I feel, needs changed.”

Another SFU student discussed the challenges that come with recovering from an eating disorder in college.

“Recovering is hard, let alone while trying to balance it with a 16-credit courseload and everything else that comes along with college,” said the student.

“It is difficult not to fall back into my old behaviors, especially when I’m stressed. However, I know that without food I won’t be the best version of myself.

“I have many people that support me at SFU through my recovery journey, and for that I am very thankful.”

If you or someone that you know is suffering from an eating disorder, contact the NEDA hotline at 1-800-931-2237, UPMC RE:SOLVE Crisis at 1-888-796-8226, or the SFU Center for Well-Being at 814-472-3211.