The theme of Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2025 (24th February – 2nd March) is anyone can have an eating disorder.
Beat estimate that at least 1 in 50 people in the UK have an eating disorder, but the true figure will be much higher and in 2023/24 NHS admissions for eating disorders exceeded 30,000 for the first time.
Stereotypes about eating disorders can deter people from seeking help, leading to underdiagnosis and delayed treatment.
It’s vital that as a society we understand that eating distress affects people of all body shapes, sizes, and backgrounds.
People in larger bodies often struggle to get the right support and the recent APPG report on Eating Disorders has highlighted the impacts of messaging around obesity on people with eating disorders, and the wider population, and the need to align public health obesity and eating disorder prevention policies.
Men and boys account for around 25% of people affected by an eating disorder and rates are rising: hospital admissions for eating disorders rose by 128% from 2015/16 to 2020/2021.
Approximately 20% of LGBTQ+ young people have experienced or are currently experiencing an eating disorder, compared to 7% of their non-LGBTQ+ peers (Just Like Us)
And whilst data is limited, evidence shows that there is a high prevalence of disordered eating behaviours amongst people from black, Asian and other racially minoritised communities.
More attention needs to be given to how eating disorders are identified and the barriers to support that people face from all communities.
At EDNE, we use the term eating distress because we will work with you if your relationships to food, exercise or your body causes you distress – with no need for a diagnosis.
Every individual affected by eating distress deserves specialist support, hope, and to know that recovery is possible.
Anyone can have an eating disorder, and we believe everyone can look forward to the future with hope and confidence.
If you want EDNE to be part of your journey to recovery, find out more about how we can help.
#EatingDisorderAwarenessWeek #AnyoneAnytime #RecoveryIsPossible
