EATING DISORDER AWARENESS WEEK
By: Autumn Singer, Office of Recreation and Wellness

Each year Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is celebrated in thousands of schools and communities across the nation to draw public and media attention to disordered eating and body dissatisfaction. This year, EDAW will occur from February 23rd-March 2nd. Often, those afflicted with an eating disorder (males and females) suffer in silence and face life-threatening consequences. The following are a partial list of symptoms of eating disorders that include but are not limited to:

Anorexia Nervosa (self-starvation) is a disorder that deals with the intense fear of gaining weight with a refusal to eat.

• Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height, body type, age, and activity level.
• Distorted body image
• Intense fear of gaining weight
• Feelings of guilty after eating
• Intense, dramatic mood swings
• Hair loss
• Wearing loose clothing
• Loss of menstural cycle

Bulimia Nervosa (binge-purge) is characterized by episodes of bingeing and purging.

• Bingeing and purging
• Tooth decay
• Swollen glands in neck & puffiness in cheeks
• Purging after a binge (by self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, diet pills and/or diuretics, ipecac, excessive exercise or fasting
• Broken blood vessels in eyes
• Feelings of guilt after eating

Binge Eating Disorder (Compulsive Overeating) is characterized primarily by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full.

• Rapid weight gain
• Eating large quantities of food even when not hungry
• Disgust and shame after overeating
• Eating late at night
• Does not use measures to purge the binged food
• Constant weight fluctuations
• Attributes any successes or failures to weight

The medical complications of all eating disorders are severe and can ultimately lead to death. If you are worried about a friend, relative, or son/daughter, it is a good idea to share your concerns and feelings openly and honestly with him/her. Levine & Hill (1991) recommend using the IMAD Approach, focusing on the Inefficiency, Misery, Alienation, and Disturbance that your friend's eating disorder is causing in his/her life instead of the number of calories they are eating or the number of pounds they have gained or lost. For more information, call 1-800-931-2237.
Sources: The Alliance For Eating Disorders Awareness & The National Eating Disorders Association. www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.

The Office of Recreation and Wellness is honored to be having plus-sized model, Valerie Lefkowitz, come speak about positive body acceptance at NSU on February 25th (exact time and location TBA). Also, a candlelight vigil will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Feb 26th in West Palm Beach in honor of those who have lost their lives or are suffering with an eating disorder. If you'd like more information on either event, please call:
(954) 262-7042.

To find a certified Eating Disorders Specialist in your area, please call: The International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals at (800) 800-8126.