Since the exposure of cyber bullying and how media affects people emotionally and mentally, a focus has developed around the subject of disordered eating. Girls and women have been exposed to images of models with the “ideal” body in magazines and been affected by it for years, so, why is it attracting more attention now? Arguably, the development and normalization of social media has contributed to this constant media presence in daily life, as images of models and women in hypersexualized contexts are a screen touch away.
The constant viewership of such imagery has shown to lead to issues for individual’s self-esteem and self-worth. However, this increased media presence in people’s daily lives has also opened the opportunity for furthered discussion of social issues. Nation Eating Disorder Awareness Week is one of those positive outcomes.
As NEDA’s site states, “The goal of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (#NEDAwareness Week) is to put the spotlight on the seriousness of eating disorders and to improve public understanding of their causes, triggers and treatments. By increasing awareness and access to resources, we can encourage early detection and intervention, which can improve the likelihood of full recovery for millions.”
One of NEDA’s biggest assets is the ability to spread increased awareness through articles, myth busters and personal stories online. Many young women have connected so much with this social dialogue that they have taken to social media to share their personal struggles with disordered eating habits or the struggles they’ve had trying to help their loved ones through it. NEDA’s theme this year is I Had No Idea, “…focusing on the importance of early intervention and recognizing the diverse experiences of people personally affected by disordered eating. Too often, signs and symptoms are overlooked as insignificant behaviors when in fact many of these are early warning signs of eating disorders.” We here at HC Ohio State encourage everyone to take advantage of their access to media and facilitate social dialogue with people they know.
For more information on eating disorders and how to get involved with creating change, visit http://nedawareness.org/about-nedawareness