Eating disorders can affect anyone. This is the message for Eating Disorders Awareness Week (24 February – 3 March 2025), organised by BEAT
This year’s Eating Disorders Week is focused on how eating disorders can affect anyone, to raise awareness of some of the complex mental health conditions & how people can get the support they need. Breaking down the stigma around eating disorders is key in helping people feel comfortable to reach out for support & increase the chance of recovery.
Right now, at least 1.25 million people in the UK are living with an eating disorder. An eating disorder can be anything from: AFRID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and/or OSFED (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder) – all of which are complex mental health conditions that are often misunderstood & undiagnosed, which can prevent people from reaching out for help.
A recent survey carried out by BEAT to 1900 people showed:
4 in 5 people thought greater public awareness would make them feel more comfortable to talk about their eating disorder
2 in 3 people would not feel comfortable talking to a teacher about the eating disorder
2 in 3 people would not feel comfortable talking to their line manager
2 in 3 people would not feel comfortable talking to a colleague about their eating disorder
Source: BEAT 2025
BEAT provides specialist UK wide support & has a variety of useful resources whether you have an eating disorder yourself or you would like to support someone you know who is struggling.
Visit their website: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/ or get in touch using their helpline: 0808 801 0677.
You can also speak to your GP for a referral to specialist eating disorder services, there are services available for adults & for children & young people.
Young people can also access support online via anonymous counselling, chat and discussion forums from Kooth (age 16-25) & Qwell (aged 26+). Visit the website below for more information.