1 – 7 March 2021
Did you know that more people live with Binge Eating Disorder (BED) than anorexia and bulimia, but only one in four who have the condition ever receives treatment? It’s the most common but least understood eating disorder and this year Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, is focusing on BED for Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW). It’s the first time that Beat has focused on a specific eating disorder for EDAW and is a fantastic opportunity for us to find out more, share information and raise awareness of this condition.
Beat has tons of information and downloadable content on its website; graphics, leaflets, posters and even videos like the one below that you can watch and share. Visit the website www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk and get involved with the campaign – if you aren’t directly affected by BED, there might be someone in your family or network who is suffering in silence and would appreciate your support. Recovery is possible with the right treatment and support.
Wondering why Beat chose to focus on binge eating disorder this year?
There is a statement on the website that you can read in full here.
But as a black woman with lived experience of binge eating disorder, I was pleased to see Beat acknowledge the diverse communities it serves, the areas where improvements need to be made and to read the following:
…we need to change the conversation about binge eating disorder. We must challenge the unhelpful and damaging opinions so many people carry about the disorder so people living with this terrible mental illness can find kindness and compassion when they bravely reach out for help. We hope Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2021 will lay the first stone for this to happen.
Through The Fat.Ugly Blog, I hope to support this campaign during EDAW and beyond.
So, what can you expect from The Fat.Ugly Blog during Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2021?
- Sharing my diagnosis, recovery and blog outside of my immediate support network – I’ll be posting on Instagram , Facebook and LinkedIn so connect with me and let’s talk. UPDATE: DONE!
2. Writing daily blog posts from 1 – 7 March, covering subjects such as ‘Why being black makes it harder to access support for BED’ and ‘Why The Fat.Ugly Blog is called The Fat.Ugly Blog’ – Be sure to subscribe to the mailing list so you don’t miss a thing. UPDATE: DONE!
3. Making my Binge Eating Disorder Recover Guide available for free download – palms pressed believing that I can figure out the technology to make that happen! UPDATE: DONE!
4. Challenging myself to make a video dancing to one of Shaun T’s CIZE routines … and share it. So keep your eyes peeled on the socials and email. UPDATE: POSTED ONE BUT MORE TO COME
5. Having a massage – self-care is key in recovery but it’s also an opportunity to encounter my body more, one of the body image improving ideas I share in the Recovery Guide. UPDATE: DONE!
Thank you for coming and connecting with me. It’s taken a lot to get this online space created (yes, I did it all by myself), and I’ll be continuing to work behind the scenes making improvements as we move forward, so thank you. Let’s have a great week and start as we mean to go on, beyond the 7 March. Much love. Anny xx
If you require advice and support, please contact the Beat Helplines
Helplines are open 365 days a year from 9am-midnight during the week, and 4pm-midnight on weekends and bank holidays.
www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk