It’s NEDAW! What’s that you ask? The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) promotes National Eating Disorders Awareness Week every year. This year NEDAW falls on February 22nd through February 28th. Their mission is to take this week to educate the public, spread hope for those in recovery and their families, and provide resources that can help save lives.
This year’s theme - Every Body Has a Seat at the Table raises awareness of underrepresented communities struggling with eating disorders, challenging systemic biases, and sharing stories from all backgrounds and experiences. All eating disorders, ranging from anorexia nervosa to binge-eating disorder, from avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder to bulimia nervosa, and every diagnosis in between, can affect anyone regardless of age, body size, gender, sexuality, race, or socioeconomic status. During this NEDA Awareness week (and every other day of the year), those struggling with their eating disorder and those recovered from their eating disorder are encouraged to share their stories.
NEDA will be featuring “Roundtable” discussions on Facebook and YouTube regarding various topics, including:
Black Mental Health Matters - Eating Disorders & the Black Community: February 22nd
Proud To Be Me - Insights from the LGBTQ+ Community: February 23rd
We Are Here, Now Hear Us - Voices from the Higher Weight Community - February 24th
Caregivers - Supporting Ourselves While Supporting Others: February 25th
Wrap-up Panel Event - Every Body Has a Seat at the Table: February 26th
Who will you be inviting to your table?
Maybe it’s someone who’s stood by your side throughout your recovery, or maybe a friend that has a great relationship with food. Perhaps it is someone you are proud of or someone you are always learning from. NEDA encourages you this week to identify who is sitting at your table.
Visit https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-involved/nedawareness for resources to help spread awareness and education this week!
In addition to NEDA’s offerings, look out for other organizations and professionals offering special groups and events to honor NEDAW. Integrated Eating will be offering a complimentary Instagram Live virtual yoga class: Every Body Has a Seat on The Mat to honor NEDAW’s theme this year. All bodies (and all yoga levels) welcome!
Every Body Has a Seat on The Mat will be held on Thursday Feb 25th from 5:30-6:30pm EST on Instagram Live. Let’s raise awareness and raise positive vibes! See @mariasorbaramora on Instagram for more information!