Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW) takes place February 1 to 7, 2016 and highlights the fact that body size and shape can be strongly influenced by external factors such as media and peer pressure as well as biological factors such as genetics.
Eating Disorder Awareness Week is sponsored by support and self-help organizations, mental health professionals, nutritionists, dieticians, physicians, dentists, nurses, educators, coaches, athletes and the media.
Too often individuals struggle against their natural, genetically influenced size just to fit into a misconception of what an “idea body type” is. Fighting your natural size and shape can lead to unhealthy dieting practices, poor body image and sometimes eating disorders.
The same can apply to over-indulgence in food which can lead to occurrences of binge or chaotic eating.
While the key messages of Eating Disorder Awareness Week focuses on helping individuals feel at ease with their natural size, in Southwestern Ontario the Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association (BANA) provides the foundation for, and assistance in, addressing the fact that eating disorders are serious, life threatening illnesses.
BANA’s goal is to put forth the idea that we should be aware of these issues 365 days a year rather than just one week.
BANA is offering the community a chance to be a part of their 365 days of positivity by adding a positive quote or inspirational message to our EDAW365 Calendar, and posting these on @edaw365 Instagram and Twitter page daily. This is also a chance for us to see the positive effects and uses of social media.
This Instagram will not only be filled with positivity but also be part of the #BANAfilterfree campaign! As a society we can get caught up in social media filters and are living up to sometimes very unrealistic expectations set by ourselves and others. Going filter free is a way to challenge ourselves to appreciate our good, natural qualities.
Since 1983, BANA has been a not-for-profit, registered charity, community based organization which is committed to the provision of specialized treatment, education, and support services for individuals affected directly and indirectly by eating disorders.
Visit Bana.ca to learn more or visit one of the many informational kiosks listed above.
