Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is back this week, 27th February - 5th March 2023. This year, the focus is on eating disorders in men.

Around 1 in 4 people with eating disorders are men, yet many struggle to ask for help, and their symptoms can be easily unnoticed by those around them. Men are often met with disbelief if they do ask for help, with their symptoms being overlooked as being a fussy eater, liking to work out or being too busy.

Eating disorders awareness week charity Beat want to bust the toxic stereotypes that prevent men from speaking up, they want to change the narrative! Beat will be using EDAW to shine a light on the different experiences men face, and how we can create a safe space for men to turn to for support towards recovery.

To get a better understanding of these complex mental illnesses, and break down gender stereotypes, Beat launched the UK’s biggest survey to date on men’s experience with eating disorders.

“Of those that took part, 1 in 5 had never spoken out about their struggles. 6 in 10 were disappointed with the help available to men. And 4 in 5 felt raising awareness would help more men get treatment sooner.”

This Eating Disorders Awareness Week, you can help set the record straight. You can start conversations and spread the word: yes - men get eating disorders! But let’s be honest, stranger things have happened… #HelpMenGetHelp

Watch and share this video for more information, you can also visit Eating disorders in men (beateatingdisorders.org.uk), and read some stories from some real men who have battled different eating disorders. You are not alone!