The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) will be sponsoring the 23rd annual Eating Disorders Awareness Week from February 21-27, 2010. The national event is designed to raise awareness about eating disorders, to combat unrealistic "body-perfect" ideals, and to counter the shame-filled and secretive attitudes that many people have regarding these life-threatening illnesses.

Lynn Grefe, CEO of NEDA, commented on the event and this year's theme, "It's Time to Talk About It." She said, "It really is time to talk about eating disorders, because people die, with anorexia having the highest death rate of any mental illness. You wouldn't be ashamed of developing asthma, diabetes, cancer or hundreds of other medical conditions.

"The sooner we get people to talk about it, the sooner we can get people to the help they need. It is necessary to educate upcoming generations about the issues that surround and lead to eating disorders. And to do that, we also need to address the societal pressures and the unrealistic images we are bombarded with in the media that have been irrefutably and scientifically proven a contributing factor among people who develop eating disorders, depression and other esteem issues."

To highlight the week, volunteers are coordinating events nationwide, including seminars and workshops on college campuses and in other venues, film festivals, health fairs and screenings, awareness walks, candlelight vigils, fundraisers, and artistic performances.

(Source: www.theopenpress.com)

Labels: anorexia, awareness, eating disorder