National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

February 26^th- March 3^rd, 2024  

National Eating Disorders Week is observed annually to raise awareness around eating disorders and highlight resources available to those who suffer from these illnesses.  

Highmark Wholecare urges providers to screen for possible eating disorders in all patients during annual visits. As you know, anyone can be affected by an eating disorder regardless of age, gender, sexuality, race, or body size. Patients who have or may be at risk for an eating disorder should be referred to specialists for diagnostic evaluations and treatment.

As you may know, the three most common eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder.

• Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by the restriction of food intake, leading to significantly low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight, body image disturbance, and denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight.
• Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by regular, often secretive bouts of overeating followed by self-induced vomiting or purging, strict dieting, or extreme exercise, associated with persistent and excessive concern with body weight.
• Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating and eating larger amounts of food in a discrete period of time than most people would in the same situation. Other associated behaviors include eating very rapidly, eating past the point of being full, eating when not hungry, and eating alone. This behavior is coupled with intense feelings of “loss of control” overeating, shame and guilt.

To find more information and resources for patients struggling with an eating disorder, please visit the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) or the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH).

Providers can also visit Mental Health America (MHA) to access a sample eating disorder screening.