In the News
Eating Disorder Awareness: Twenty Years of Service
Toronto- Belinda Shields* looks into the fridge and breaks into a sweat. Even thinking about what to eat, when to eat and how much, strikes terror into her. Belinda is not alone. Whether the urge is to restrict eating, to binge, or any of a myriad concerns with food and weight, the real problem is not food, or even weight. Across Canada, individuals and professionals turn for help to the National Eating Disorder Information Center (NEDIC), commemorating 20 years of service in 2005.
"When I joined NEDIC in 1992, my ambition was to work us out of business: I don't want there to be a need for such a service. Unfortunately, the need still exists, and is growing. Fortunately, across the country there is also a strong community of concerned family members, individuals and professionals, working to raise awareness of the range of problems as well as prevention and treatment needs" says Merryl Bear, director of NEDIC.
Eating Disorder Awareness Week, February 6 - 12, 2005, is the ideal time to tune in to your body and your self. Across the country a range of events to raise awareness and help individuals to find healthier ways of coping with their lives are held.
"People don't start out with the idea of getting an eating disorder. Patterns of behaviour around food, exercise and weight management which start as ways to help structure or manage emotions and time end up controlling the individual" says Bear. We all know someone whose food and weight preoccupation negatively impacts on his or her ability to live a rich and connected life. Vanities don't drive these preoccupations. Attempts at self-management and emotional regulation do.
For information on eating disorders and Eating Disorder Awareness Week events, go to www.nedic.ca
*pseudonym.