It is crucial to continue research and education. Eating disorders or disordered eating affects up to 24 million Americans and 70 million individuals worldwide. (Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, Eating Disorders 101 Guide: A Summary of Issues, Statistics, and Resources, October 2003)
20% of people suffering from anorexia will prematurely die from complications related to their eating disorder, including suicide and heart problems. (Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, "Eating Disorders 101 Guide: A Summary of Issues, Statistics, and Resources," published September 2002, revised October 2003).
It is estimated currently 11% of high school students have been diagnosed with an eating disorder. (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders)
Resources and Support
Healthy Weight Network provides information and resources pertaining to “health at any size”. Green Mountain at Fox Run, sponsor of Healthy Weight Week. Green Mountain at Fox Run is the country's first and oldest all-women's educational community for weight and health management. It is nationally recognized as an effective solution for ending struggles with eating and weight through the “non-diet” approach it pioneered.
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) provides education, resources, and support for those individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves to prevent, cure, and access quality care. NEDA sponsors events, programs, and research on eating disorders, and contains a section on its site featuring recent news articles and information.
Academy for Eating Disorders (AED). The Academy for Eating Disorders aims to provide comprehensive information on the facts of eating disorders, treatment plans, and education to prevent others from developing eating disorders.
Alliance of Eating Disorders Awareness was created as a source of community outreach, education, awareness, and prevention of various eating disorders. Their goal is to spread the message, recovery from these disorders is possible, and individuals should not have to suffer or recover alone.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Provides nutrition resources about eating disorders, including an extensive nutrition reading list.
Obesity Society is the leading scientific society dedicated to the study of obesity. They are committed to encouraging research on the causes and treatment of obesity, and to keeping the medical community and public informed of new advances. AOA provides obesity awareness and prevention information.
Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) is the national organization focusing on increased prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for Binge Eating Disorder.
Council on Size and Weight Discrimination, Inc. An activist group influencing public opinion and policy through education, information, and networking.
Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA). A 12 step self-help fellowship for anorexics and bulimics. EDA offers membership to any person who needs help recovering from an eating disorder. The site has meetings around the United States, publications, recovery information, EDA news, and helpful links to other sites.
Eating Disorders Coalition. The goal of the Eating Disorders Coalition is to "advance the federal recognition of eating disorders as a public health priority." The nonprofit organization lists the federal policy on its website, congressional briefings, events, information/resources on eating disorders, and a blog.
Eating Disorders Information Network (EDIN) is a nonprofit organization committed to the prevention of all types of disordered eating, from obesity to anorexia, and the promotion of positive body-esteem through education, outreach, and action.
Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center (EDRIC) includes links to sites that provide additional information on eating disorders and related topics.
Eating Disorders Resource Center (EDRC) is a non-profit organization that links resources, information, and support for eating disorders in Silicon Valley. The mission of EDRC is to increase awareness and understanding of eating disorders for the general public and health professionals; to promote early diagnosis, effective treatment, and recovery; and to advocate for mental health legislation and effective insurance coverage. EDRC offers a comprehensive, online resource directory.
F.E.A.S.T. Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders is an international organization providing support to families and friends of those suffering from eating disorders. The site announces events and conferences, groups around the world, treatment providers, online caregivers, and current news.
International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) is well recognized for its excellence in providing education and training standards to an international multidisciplinary group of various healthcare treatment providers and helping professionals, who treat the full spectrum of eating disorder problems.
Kristen Watt Foundation provides support for those suffering from eating disorders. The site has sections for parents, friends, and coaches. They are dedicated to increasing awareness of eating disorders, education, and treatment.
Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA) is a nonprofit organization working to prevent and treat eating disorders. Their aim is to do this through early detection and increased public awareness. This site has events listed, resources, and a place for individuals to join the organization.
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) seeks to alleviate the problems of eating disorders by educating the public and healthcare professionals, encouraging research, and sharing resources on all aspects of these disorders. Their website includes information on finding support groups, referrals, treatment centers, advocacy, and background on eating disorders.
National Institute of Mental Health: Eating Disorders provides information on anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, the effect eating disorders can have on men, treatment options, and helpful resources and links.Obesity Society is the leading scientific society dedicated to the study of obesity. They are committed to encouraging research on the causes and treatment of obesity, and to keeping the medical community and public informed of new advances. AOA provides obesity awareness and prevention information.
Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) is the national organization focusing on increased prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for Binge Eating Disorder.
Council on Size and Weight Discrimination, Inc. An activist group influencing public opinion and policy through education, information, and networking.
Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA). A 12 step self-help fellowship for anorexics and bulimics. EDA offers membership to any person who needs help recovering from an eating disorder. The site has meetings around the United States, publications, recovery information, EDA news, and helpful links to other sites.
Eating Disorders Coalition. The goal of the Eating Disorders Coalition is to "advance the federal recognition of eating disorders as a public health priority." The nonprofit organization lists the federal policy on its website, congressional briefings, events, information/resources on eating disorders, and a blog.
Eating Disorders Information Network (EDIN) is a nonprofit organization committed to the prevention of all types of disordered eating, from obesity to anorexia, and the promotion of positive body-esteem through education, outreach, and action.
Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center (EDRIC) includes links to sites that provide additional information on eating disorders and related topics.
Eating Disorders Resource Center (EDRC) is a non-profit organization that links resources, information, and support for eating disorders in Silicon Valley. The mission of EDRC is to increase awareness and understanding of eating disorders for the general public and health professionals; to promote early diagnosis, effective treatment, and recovery; and to advocate for mental health legislation and effective insurance coverage. EDRC offers a comprehensive, online resource directory.
F.E.A.S.T. Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders is an international organization providing support to families and friends of those suffering from eating disorders. The site announces events and conferences, groups around the world, treatment providers, online caregivers, and current news.
International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) is well recognized for its excellence in providing education and training standards to an international multidisciplinary group of various healthcare treatment providers and helping professionals, who treat the full spectrum of eating disorder problems.
Kristen Watt Foundation provides support for those suffering from eating disorders. The site has sections for parents, friends, and coaches. They are dedicated to increasing awareness of eating disorders, education, and treatment.
Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA) is a nonprofit organization working to prevent and treat eating disorders. Their aim is to do this through early detection and increased public awareness. This site has events listed, resources, and a place for individuals to join the organization.
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) seeks to alleviate the problems of eating disorders by educating the public and healthcare professionals, encouraging research, and sharing resources on all aspects of these disorders. Their website includes information on finding support groups, referrals, treatment centers, advocacy, and background on eating disorders.
Perfect Illusions. Discover what an eating disorder is, find help and resources, and look into the lives of several individuals and their families who are struggling with the consequences of anorexia and bulimia.
The Renfrew Center. Residential treatment facility specializing in eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorders) and related mental health issues. The Renfrew Center is a women's mental health center with locations in Philadelphia and Radnor, Pennsylvania; Coconut Creek, Florida; New York City; Old Greenwich, Connecticut; Ridgewood, New Jersey; Charlotte, North Carolina, Nashville, TN, Dallas, TX, and Bethesda, MD.