Eating Disorders Week: Key Activities
What Is Eating Disorders Awareness Week?
Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is an annual campaign dedicated to increasing understanding, challenging stigma, and improving support for people affected by eating disorders.
In the UK, it is celebrated every year in late February or early March, led by Beat—the UK’s eating disorder charity. In 2026, Eating Disorders Awareness Week will be celebrated from 23 February to 1 March.
Each year focuses on a specific theme designed to highlight key issues, amplify lived experience, and push for meaningful change in policy, support, and public understanding.
The theme for Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2026 in the UK is “Community“.
What is an eating disorder? An eating disorder is a serious mental health condition that affects a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviours around food, body image, and control. It can involve restricting, consuming excessively, purging, or extreme anxiety about eating. Eating disorders impact physical and emotional wellbeing and require compassionate, early support to aid recovery.
Why Eating Disorders Awareness Week Matters
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or background. They are not lifestyle choices, phases, or attention‑seeking behaviours.
Conditions such as anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, and OSFED each present differently, but all can have profound physical, emotional, and social impacts.
Despite growing awareness, many people still struggle in silence.
Shame, fear of judgement, and misconceptions about what an eating disorder “looks like” often prevent individuals from seeking help early.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week challenges these myths by bringing real experiences to the forefront and reminding the public that early intervention can be life‑saving.
Past Themes of Eating Disorders Awareness Week
| Past Themes | Description |
|---|---|
| Male eating disorders | Challenging the misconception that eating disorders only affect women and raising awareness of the barriers men face when seeking help. |
| Early intervention | Emphasising the importance of recognising symptoms early and improving access to timely treatment. |
| Carers and families | Highlighting the experiences of those supporting loved ones and advocating for better guidance and involvement in treatment. |
| Binge eating disorder awareness | Increasing understanding of a condition that is often misunderstood or minimised. |
| Training for healthcare professionals | Calling for improved education so frontline staff can spot early signs and respond sensitively. |
These themes help shape national conversations, influence policy discussions, and encourage organisations to reflect on how they support people affected by eating disorders.
How Many People Are Affected?
Current estimates suggest at least 1.25 million people in the UK are living with an eating disorder at any one time—around 2% of the population. Surveys by Beat Eating Disorder also indicate that up to 6.4% of adults show some signs or symptoms of an eating disorder, even without a formal diagnosis.
Age Groups and Young People
Eating disorders disproportionately affect younger people, particularly those under 25:
- In England in 2023, around 12.5% of 17–19-year-olds met the criteria for an eating disorder, compared with 0.8% in 2017 — a four-fold increase [ Statista Report].
- Among 11–16-year-olds, prevalence rose from 0.5% in 2017 to 2.6% in 2023.
- In 2020–21, there were 24,300 hospital admissions for eating disorders in England, with almost half involving people under 25.
Gender and Types of Eating Disorders
- Around 75% of diagnosed cases are female, and 25% are male, though some conditions have a more even gender distribution.
- Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder, affecting roughly 2% of the population, with about 40% of those affected being male.
- Among young women, estimated prevalence rates are:
- Anorexia nervosa: 0.3–0.6%
- Bulimia nervosa: around 1%
OSFED (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders) and ARFID account for a significant proportion of cases, particularly among children and neurodivergent young people.
Understanding the Impact of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders can affect every aspect of a person’s life. Physically, they can lead to serious health complications. Emotionally, they often involve intense anxiety, guilt, or distress around food, body image, or control.
Socially, they can lead to isolation, withdrawal, or difficulties maintaining relationships. Because symptoms are not always visible, many people delay seeking help.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week encourages people to recognise early warning signs such as:
- Sudden changes in eating habits.
- Avoidance of meals or social situations involving food.
- Obsessive thoughts about weight, shape, or exercise.
- Mood changes, irritability, or withdrawal.
- Physical symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, or digestive issues.
By increasing awareness, the campaign helps people feel more confident in reaching out for support—whether for themselves or someone they care about.
The Role of Education and Training
A major focus of the week is improving understanding among the public and the wider health and care workforce.
Many professionals, especially those in frontline roles, may be the first to notice subtle changes or hear concerns from individuals or families.
Ensuring staff feel confident, informed, and able to respond sensitively is essential. A combination of training such as dysphagia awareness and effective communication can equip staff and carers to spot issues on time.
Training, clear communication, and a non‑judgemental approach can make a significant difference in whether someone feels safe enough to seek help.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week encourages organisations to invest in education that equips staff with the knowledge and confidence to act early.
Activities During Eating Disorders Awareness Week
Across the UK, a wide range of activities take place during the week, including:
- Awareness events and webinars hosted by charities, healthcare organisations, and universities.
- Social media campaigns sharing lived experience stories, myth‑busting content, and educational resources.
- Fundraising challenges to support eating disorder charities.
- Workplace or school sessions focused on body image, wellbeing, and early recognition.
- Policy and advocacy campaigns calling for improved services, shorter waiting times, and better training for professionals.
These activities help create a national conversation and encourage people to engage with the topic in a meaningful, supportive way.
Activities for Carers and Care Organisations
What carers and care homes can do during Eating Disorders Awareness Week:
- Share evidence‑based information to raise awareness among staff, residents, and families.
- Run short training sessions to help staff recognise early signs of eating disorders.
- Create a supportive, non‑judgemental environment around food, body image, and mealtimes.
- Review care plans to ensure they reflect individual needs and promote dignity.
- Encourage open, compassionate conversations with residents and families.
- Display posters or resources from trusted charities to spark awareness.
- Host wellbeing activities that promote positive relationships with food and self‑esteem.
- Connect with specialist services for advice or early‑intervention support.
- Offer carers and staff access to peer‑support networks or reflective sessions.
- Use the week to strengthen policies around nutrition, mental health, and safeguarding.
Eating Disorders Knowledge Quiz | Pass mark: 80%
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