Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2018

This Sunday marked the final day of Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2018.  As many of you know, my career and passions are aimed in this field, so I'll never limit my advocate voice to just one week ;)  You can view some startling statistics HERE , but below are a few highlights:

• AT LEAST 30 million people suffer from an eating disorder in the U.S.  It is a common misconception that ED's are limited to just Anorexia and Bulimia, but multiple other diagnoses exist:  Binge Eating Disorder, Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED, previously EDNOS), Orthorexia, ARFID and Diabulimia.  While there are diagnosis criteria, additional "subtypes" along the spectrum can occur - for example, someone with Anorexia might also binge/purge; someone with bulimia may compensate in other ways vs. just vomiting, and a binge-eating diagnosis client may restrict their intake during the day.
• You CAN'T tell just by looking at a person if they have an eating disorder.  ED's affect all genders, races, socioeconomic classes, ages, vocations, sexual orientations & body types.  It is also inaccurate that you can tell by someone's body size what diagnosis they have.   
• Eating Disorders are a mental illness, and have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.  Telling someone to "Just eat" or "Just stop bingeing" WILL NOT help.  There are multiple biological, environmental & psychological factors that come into play here.
• Treatment IS available, but we as a society could do better.  Only a percentage of those diagnosed with an eating disorder have access to quality care - whether that be due to insurance coverage, distance to facilities or other barriers.  For example, in Iowa, there is only ONE inpatient and day program available for the potential 101,000+ who are suffering.  Source: http://www.edciowa.com/iowa-eating-disorder-statistics .  In Minnesota there are a few more options in the Twin Cities for inpatient, residential, day/evening intensive programs or outpatient levels of care, but the above barriers can still be present for the thousands suffering.
• Dieting doesn't work.   To be clear, the word "diet" isn't inherently bad.  I mean, the definition of diet is simply "A selection of food a person, animal or community habitually eats."  So technically, yes, we all have a "diet" because we all have to consume food to survive.  However,  our appearance-obsessed culture has turned this term instead to mean "A special course of food to which one restricts oneself, either to lose weight or for medical reasons."  Now wait, RESTRICT?!  Anyone who's studied health or nutrition should be familiar with the infamous Ancel Keys Starvation study which was conducted right here at the University of Minnesota in the 1940's.  Male volunteers consumed extremely restrictive intakes and the negative effects on their mental & social health, along with their deteriorating physical well-being was stammering.  This was truly a study ahead of it's time - so why is the dieting industry STILL making billions of dollars every year if we KNOW the ramifications?
• A multi-disciplinary team approach is best.  While I can toot my own horn that dietitians are extremely important for recovery, we can't do everything.  That's why RD's used in conjunction with other treatment professionals (therapists, psychiatrists, and medical providers) is the best case scenerio.  I always tell my clients "Eating disorders are about the food, but really, they're NOT about the food."  Identifying the underlying reason(s) "why?" food is used as a coping skill is important. 

Now I've stated a few facts - so how did I spend my NEDA week?  Well, working of course!  I'm currently helping out our residential site so it's been an eye-opening experience seeing the differences between outpatient and that level of care.  Looking back, I've honored this week every year since 2009 as a freshman in college multiple ways - volunteering on campus events, attending CEU conferences in Iowa, and now I've come full circle putting it all into practice in Minnesota.  I'm truly so grateful for where I'm at already in my career!

Well after a busy work week, on Saturday Dee, Eli and I spent the day exploring more Minnesota favorites - the Walker Art Museum.... 

"The Fallen Lighthouse"

This will forever be the piece of art I'll remember due to the following: getting yelled at by an employee because I got too close (hey - a book nerd wanted to know what books were used)!

Small scale version of the sculpture garden piece

Best souvenir I saw in the shop!

...We also tried a Minneapolis favorite Eggy's known for their unique brunch offerings.  I got the delicious Nutella crepes with strawberries & bananas...but because I didn't get an original photo, I'm using a google photo - HA!  I figured this was the perfect breakfast choice to promote balance, variety & moderation as a dietitian.  Even the waitress sparked up a conversation with us that ended in me gushing about my job and how much I love it - what can I say! :)

Then on Sunday Eli and I attended our first #NEDA walk at the Mall of America!  It felt so good not only knowing I was supporting this cause, but also being able to take in all the positive vibes emitting from this epic group!  We will for sure plan to attend yearly.

 

I hope your NEDA week was spent doing the things you love, with the ones you love, and most importantly, loving yourself.  Don't ever be afraid to share your story, or reach out for help if you are struggling.  You ARE NOT alone.

Namaste :) 

-A & E