Your Own Worst Enemy: National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Posted February 29, 2008 at 12:00 PM by Caroline Shannon

Section: Her Health, Body Image, Eating Disorders, Her Motivation

While “death” is not a word that many people most likely associate with food, that grim reality is one that has become quickly attached to women and disordered eating.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over the course of a lifetime about 0.5 to 3.7 percent of girls and women will develop anorexia nervosa, and about 1.1 to 4.2 percent will develop bulimia nervosa. What’s more, about 0.5 percent of those with anorexia die each year as a result of their illness, making it one of the top psychiatric illnesses that lead to death.

What better time to help put an end to these awful conditions, than by honoring National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

It is vital for each of us to consider the affects our culture is having on body images, and join the effort to ease its affects. To get started now, take a look at the following suggestions from the National Eating Disorders Association for ideas on how to participate. Please note that this writer has added examples of how to complete each task. While you are reading, remember NEDAW’s 2008 mantra: “Be comfortable in your genes. Wear jeans that fit the TRUE you.”

Sign the National Eating Disorders Association’s Declaration of Independence from a Weight-Obsessed World to free yourself from the three D’s: Dieting, Drive for Thinness, and Body Dissatisfaction. When you are finished, pick up a copy of Do I Look Fat in This?: Life Doesn’t Begin Five Pounds from Now by Jessica Weiner. A motivational speaker, and also the author of A Very Hungry Girl, Weiner has recovered from an eating disorder and uses the term “Actionist” to describe what she does—motivating and inspiring people to take hold of their everyday lives and get movin’! Celebrate Fearless Friday - A Day Without Dieting - and feel how empowering a diet-free day of self-acceptance can be! Don’t spend another day calculating calories – throw out the rule book and, instead, focus on the tons of fabulous healthy foods that are available to you, such as the recommended Eight Foods You Should Eat Every Day. Then, grab a bit of dark chocolate – it’s good for your heart – and celebrate your body by watching a movie that celebrates women, like Real Women Have Curves, starring television show Ugly Betty’s America Ferrera. Consciously choose to avoid making comments about other people or yourself on the basis of body size or shape. Instead, engage in healthy-minded behavior by going for a walk and appreciating the fresh air, or choose to notice how great your butt looks in that skirt rather than focus on how much you hate the jiggle in your arms. Attend a workshop, presentation, lecture, or meeting in your community that will help you feel better about yourself. See the National Eating Disorders Association’s Web site, your local newspaper or campus calendar for events. Readers may also want to check out online feel-good courses, such as Oprah’s upcoming Web event with author Eckhart Tolle, spiritual teacher and author of the inspirational book A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose. Enjoy your favorite meal without feelings of guilt or anxiety over calories and fat grams. You can find fantastic recipes at Epicurious – I cannot wait to try the Double Chocolate Layer Cake!

Most importantly, have fun and enjoy your body not only this week, but every week. As nineteenth century American humorist Josh Billings once said, “Life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing those you hold well.”

So, start playing those cards that you already hold and stop worrying about the ones life hasn’t thrown your way – you will be surprised just how enjoyable the game of life will become!