February 25 through March 3 is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. This is part of a series of postings on the topic brought to you by SUNY Broome Counseling Services.
Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating are not a choice. They are serious mental illnesses that can have devastating impacts. These are some common statistics about eating disorders around which we base much of our community education and outreach.
- Eating Disorders affect up to 30 million Americans and 70 million
- 1 in 5 women struggles with an eating disorder or disordered eating.
- Middle-aged women are the fastest growing segment of the population being diagnosed with eating disorders
- Bullying about body size and appearance is the most common form of bullying in schools.
- The most common behavior that precedes and predicts an eating disorder is dieting.
- 42% of first through third grade girls want to be thinner.
- Men constitute 40% of those exhibiting Binge Eating Disorder.
- Girls who diet frequently are 12 times as likely to binge as girls who don’t diet.
- 25% of American men and 45% of American women are on a diet on any given day.
- Americans spend over $40 billion on dieting and diet-related products each year.
- Four out of ten individuals have either personally experienced an eating disorder or know someone who has.
- 81% of ten year-olds are afraid of being fat.
Adapted from: http://emilyprogramfoundation.org/our-work/eating-disorders/stats-about-eating-disorders/
If you are concerned about a friend, family member or yourself, please reach out for help. Counseling Services is located in Student Services Building Room 210 or 778-5210. Off campus resources include: The Nutrition Clinic (877) 752-1007
