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Eating Disorder Awareness Week: "The Time is Now"

Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2025:
By Addison Mandrell, Registered Dietitian

Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW) 2025 is scheduled for February 24 through March 2, 2025. This annual campaign aims to educate the public about the realities of eating disorders and provide hope and visibility to individuals and families affected by these conditions.

This year's theme, "The Time is Now," emphasizes the urgency of sharing knowledge, encouraging early detection and treatment, and supporting ongoing research.

Understanding Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions characterized by unhealthy relationships with food, body image, and eating behaviors. They affect individuals across all demographics, including the general public and veterans. Common types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED).

Prevalence and Impact

In the United States, approximately 9% of the population, or 28.8 million Americans, will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime. Alarmingly, eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates among mental health conditions, with an estimated 10,200 deaths each year directly attributed to these illnesses—equating to one death every 52 minutes.

Eating Disorders Among Veterans

Veterans are a population uniquely susceptible to eating disorders due to the distinct challenges they face during and after military service. Studies have shown that up to 18.5% of female veterans and 8.5% of male veterans screen positive for eating disorders.  Factors such as military sexual trauma (MST) significantly increase the risk; female veterans who have experienced MST have twice the odds of developing an eating disorder compared to those who have not.

Barriers to Treatment

Despite the prevalence, many individuals with eating disorders do not receive appropriate treatment. Stigma, lack of awareness, and limited access to specialized care contribute to this gap. Among veterans, these barriers are often compounded by the unique cultural and systemic factors within military and veteran communities.

The Time is Now 

Eating Disorder Awareness Week serves as a critical reminder of the pervasive impact of eating disorders and the necessity for timely intervention. By fostering awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting access to resources, we can support recovery and improve outcomes for all affected individuals, including our veterans.

Resources for Support

For those struggling with eating disorders, several resources are available:

If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out for help is the first step toward healing. Remember, you are not alone.