The Importance of Eating Disorder Awareness Week 

In 2025, Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW) is recognized from February 24 through March 2. This is a time to help people understand what eating disorders are, as well as give a sense of hope to those who are impacted by these conditions. And there are many who will either face it themselves or know of someone who is struggling. In fact, it is estimated that 28.8 million people in the United States will have an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime – that’s 9% of the U.S. population.(1)

At Center for Discovery (CFD), we hope to educate people about different eating disorders, who can get them and the symptoms to look out for. We also want people to know that we are available to support them no matter where they are in their journey – whether that is figuring out if a loved one even has an eating disorder to supporting former patients after they receive life-changing treatment. We hope EDAW provides people with not just awareness but also gives them space to recognize the journey to overcome an eating disorder.

Common Eating Disorders & Who They Impact

Understanding eating disorders is the first step to breaking down any of the stigmas that surround these conditions. For example, if someone is not directly touched by an eating disorder, they may not be able to distinguish between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, two common eating disorders. There can be similar signs of eating disorders, but each one can have particular symptoms and personalized ways to treat it. Here are some eating disorders that people may or may not have heard of:

  • Anorexia nervosa: Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person has an unhealthy disturbance in body shape and image, thus creating ways to maintain a minimum body weight.
  • Bulimia nervosa: Bulimia nervosa is a serious emotional eating disorder that has been referred to as “binging and purging.” The typical pattern of this condition is when a person eats excessive amounts of food in a short time (binging), experiences guilt or shame because of it, and then makes themselves vomit, do extreme exercises or abuse laxatives (purging).
  • Binge eating disorder (BED): Once of the most common eating disorders, BED happens when a person continuously eats a large quantity of food over a short amount of time, to the extent of making themselves feel sick or extremely uncomfortable.
  • Orthorexia nervosa: Orthorexia is an eating disorder in which a person becomes obsessed with healthy food – sometimes referred to as “clean eating” – so much so that it consumes how they think and approach daily life.
  • Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): ARFID has been dubbed as the “extremely picky eater” eating disorder, in which the person (usually a child) develops certain fears around food. ARFID impacts children but can affect adults, as well.

Eating disorders don’t discriminate – they can impact anyone. For many years, the stigma of a person with an eating disorder could be described as a very thin, young Caucasian woman. But those within the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities experience eating disorders at the same rate as their white peers, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) (2024). It’s also reported that young LGBTQ+ people are three times more likely to have an eating disorder than their straight counterparts (ANAD, 2024). Adults, teens and children of all genders – men, women, girls, boys, nonbinary – from all backgrounds can get an eating disorder. Sadly, only some will get professional help to combat it.

Eating Disorder Signs to Look Out For

Whether it’s yourself or your loved one that you’re concerned for, it’s imperative to understand the symptoms of an eating disorder. The earlier you recognize unusual behaviors surrounding food, the more likely something can be done about it. These are just some of the signs of an eating disorder: 

  • Food restriction 
  • Food binging 
  • Food purging 
  • Fear of “unclean” food or obsession with clean eating 
  • Extreme focus on body weight, shape or size 
  • Constantly critiquing one’s own body 
  • Excessive exercising 
  • Extreme calorie counting

Discover the You Within You: When to Get Help

During EDAW and beyond, it’s critical to realize when it’s time to get help for an eating disorder. At CFD, we know that even acknowledging there is an issue is a big step. If you or someone you love is still unsure, take the free and confidential CFD Eating Disorder Quiz to see if signs are pointing to an eating disorder. If they are, we are here to help you find the strength, resilience and power within yourself to overcome it.

More Eating Disorder Resources from Center for Discovery 

Article Resources 

  1. National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) (2024). Eating disorder statistics. https://anad.org/eating-disorder-statistic/#general