This year, Project Aspire, a club at Pitman, is honoring National Eating Disorders Association Awareness Week. NEDA is an organization that supports individuals and families that are affected by eating disorders. The mission of this group is to ultimately prevent eating disorders, to reduce body image issues, and to provide treatment for those who have an eating disorder. The American Medical Association recognizes eating disorders as diseases with potential life threatening consequences. Both the AMA and NEDA acknowledge that early detection is crucial in successful treatment of the disease.

     Every year, NEDA has a theme to bring attention to the public and to inform people of the dangers of eating disorders. This year’s theme, “I Had No Idea,” represents a common reaction of even the closest friends and family members of victims of this deceptive condition, many of which “had no idea” that there was such a thing as too much exercise, or that you could be too thin. Recognizing the signs of an eating disorder is very important. The earlier one is detected, the greater the likelihood for a physical and emotional recovery. Eating disorders can lead to serious physical problems and even death.

      Eating disorders—anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating, are comprised of severe emotions and behaviors that revolve around weight and food issues. Anorexia Nervosa involves inadequate food intake where people with the disease are often obsessed with their weight and any sort of weight gain. Anorexia can lead to an abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure. Bulimia Nervosa is frequent self-induced vomiting to prevent weight gain. It can increase your blood pressure and higher your risk for heart disease. Binge Eating Disorder is also frequent self- induced vomiting to prevent weight gain with feelings of strong shame or guilt. It can result in inflammation and possible rupture of esophagus from frequent vomiting.

     Each year, thousands of teens develop eating disorders, problems with weight, and body image.  Things that teens are normally interested in, such as sports, hobbies, and socializing becomes overshadowed by the disease. Having an eating disorder is more than just going on a diet to lose weight or trying to exercise. They’re extremes in eating behaviors—a diet that never ends and gradually gets more confining. They can lead to serious physical problems and even death.

         Some statistics pulled from nationaleatingdisorders.com include:

• In the United States 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives.
• 40-60% of girls in elementary school have concerns about their weight.
• The average BMI of Miss America winners has decreased from around 22 in the 1920’s to 16.9 in the 2000’s.
• Even among clearly non-overweight girls, over 1/3 report that they are dieting.

         For more information on eating disorders or how you can get help, contact Gabe Gavito at (212) 575-6200 or visit NEDA’s website: nationaleatingdisorders.org