Eating Disorders Awareness Week

There will be a debate in Westminster Hall on Wednesday 27 February 2019 from 9.30-11am on Eating Disorders Awareness Week. The debate will be opened by Kirstene Hair MP.

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that can have severe psychological, physical and social consequences. They typically involve disordered eating behaviour, which might mean restricting food intake, binge-eating, purging, fasting or excessive exercise, or a combination of these behaviours. They are associated with negative perceptions of body image, and while men and women of any age can develop an eating disorder, they most commonly affect young women.

The theme of Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2019 (EADW) on 25 February to 3 March  is ‘Breaking down barriers.’  The eating disorder charity, Beat, reports that it is aiming to tackle the stereotypes associated with eating disorders and ensure that people can access effective treatment.  It encourages people to join the campaign to show that eating disorders “do not discriminate, and that everyone who gets one deserves fast, high-quality treatment.”