Eating Disorder Awareness Week: Awareness, Theme, and Importance

You might think you're simply being careful about what you eat, but when does healthy eating become an eating disorder? This question is more serious than ever, as studies show the prevalence of eating disorders in India. Eating disorders silently damage both physical and mental health. That's why the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) dedicates Eating Disorders Awareness Week to educating the public about recognising and addressing these serious conditions.

What is Eating Disorders Awareness Week?

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW) is a campaign that raises awareness about eating disorders. The objective is to challenge stigma and provide hope and support to individuals impacted by eating disorders. NEDAW 2026 will take place from 23rd February to 1st March. The theme this year is ‘Every BODY Belongs’.

Understanding Eating Disorders

Eating disorder is a type of illness that causes severe changes in an individual’s eating habits. Such individuals are obsessed with weight loss, body weight and controlling their food intake. Typically, many individuals are concerned about their weight. However, people with an eating disorder take losing weight to an extent that can be harmful to them.

Causes

It’s unclear why someone develops an eating disorder. Specialists believe it could be a combination of psychological, environmental and genetic factors. Some of the factors could be:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Having obsessive or compulsive feelings
• Bullying or abuse
• Societal pressure
• Family history
• Changes in brain or hormone levels, etc.

Symptoms

Symptoms of eating disorders may include

• Eating very little food
• Spending a significant amount of time worrying about weight
• Exercising too much
• Making yourself sick
• Taking unhealthy amounts of laxatives
• Sleeping problems
• Brittle hair and nails
• Dramatic weight loss

Types of Eating Disorders

The following are the different types of eating disorders:

• Anorexia Nervosa: Individuals may starve themselves, resulting in extremely low weight for their height and age.
• Bulimia Nervosa: In this type of eating disorder, individuals eat too much and then force themselves to vomit.
• Binge-Eating Disorder: This type of eating disorder involves eating food in a short amount of time; there’s no control over eating.
• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): ARFID includes extremely low intake of food leading to low nutritional intake.
• Pica: Pica is a type of eating disorder where individuals, especially children and pregnant women, tend to eat non-food items.

Impact of Eating Disorders on Mental Health

The psychological impact of an eating disorder runs deep. Individuals struggling with eating disorders face significantly higher risks for:

• Depression and anxiety disorders that can persist for years
• Insomnia and sleep disturbances that leave them exhausted
• Social isolation as they withdraw from friends and family
• Suicidal thoughts in severe cases

What starts as concern about appearance might quickly spiral into a mental health crisis that affects every aspect of life.

Impact of Eating Disorders on Physical Health

While the psychological impact of an eating disorder is profound, it can also wreak havoc on your physical health.

Heart Conditions: Restricting food or purging through vomiting and laxatives can create electrolyte imbalances that can be dangerous to the heart.

Fragile Bones: Malnutrition can weaken your skeleton. Without adequate nutrition, your body can't maintain bone density and this can lead to osteoporosis.

Digestive System Issues: Individuals with an eating disorder tend to face significant digestive problems like cramping, bloating, nausea and pain.

Hormonal Imbalance: Eating disorders may cause irregular or absent menstrual periods, thyroid dysfunction, growth delays in adolescents as well as long-term fertility issues.

Impact of Surgery: Some people may turn to bariatric surgery to manage weight and eating struggles. This can limit how much food you intake.

Eating Disorders in Children & Adolescents: When and How to Seek Professional Help

One of the hardest parts of dealing with an eating disorder is knowing when you’ve crossed the line - especially in children and adolescents, where signs may be subtle or mistaken for ‘phases’. Parents and caregivers need to watch out for signs so that they can seek professional help:

• It is affecting daily life. Children spend hours each day thinking about calories and meal planning and show anxiety around food.
• They may avoid social gatherings, such as birthday parties or family gatherings, involving food.
• They may experience dizziness or extreme fatigue and may feel cold all the time.
• They may have constant digestive problems and can’t concentrate due to a lack of nutrition.
• They may also experience extreme weakness that inhibits their ability to carry out everyday tasks.

As a parent or a caregiver, if you recognise signs of eating disorders among children, seek counselling immediately.

Final Note

Knowledge is your first defense. This Eating Disorders Awareness Week, commit to learning the warning signs and understanding how these conditions affect both body and mind.

FAQs

What is Eating Disorders Awareness Week?

Eating Disorders Awareness Week is a campaign to raise awareness about eating disorders and support individuals impacted by eating disorders.

When is Eating Disorders Awareness Week observed?

In 2026, Eating Disorders Awareness Week will be observed from 23rd February to 1st March.

Do kids and adolescents suffer from eating disorders?

Yes, they do. Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder and ARFID can affect children.

How can eating disorders be identified and treated early?

Early identification involves recognizing warning signs like skipping meals, obsessive weighing, social withdrawal, physical symptoms (dizziness, fatigue, menstrual changes), and preoccupation with food and body image. Early treatment typically begins with outpatient therapy, nutritional counselling and medical monitoring.

Whom to consult if the child has an eating disorder?

Since eating disorders can affect the mind and body, both psychological and medical treatment is needed. For psychological treatments, you may consult a psychologist who can provide treatment through treatments like Family-Based Treatment (FBT) or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Medical treatments typically involve consulting your GP or pediatrician. The specialists also work with nutritional consultants who can support you in providing a healthy and balanced diet to your child.