Eating Disorders Awareness Week
From Monday 23rd February to 1st March 2026, Eating Disorders Awareness Week highlights the theme of ‘Community’
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that disrupt a person’s relationship with food, body image and overall wellbeing. They are not a choice or a phase but complex conditions influenced by psychological, biological and social factors.
Did you know that about 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder in one form or another? That’s roughly 2% of the entire UK population.
In Scotland, there is a growing impact of eating disorders, with over 1 in 4 people between 16-24 reporting two or more symptoms. Alongside this, there has been a consistent rise in hospital admissions for both children and adults due to eating disorders. Research shows that the suicide rate among those with eating disorders is 23 times higher than that of the general population. This underscores that eating disorders are not just about food or body image. They are serious mental health issues that require understanding and support.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2026
This year’s theme for Eating Disorders Awareness Week celebrates the importance of community in supporting someone with an eating disorder.
Community can include family, friends and other support networks such as in-person or online groups. These relationships help someone with an eating disorder feel less alone, understood and supported throughout their journey. That could be giving them the confidence to seek help or simply providing a shoulder to lean on. You can read more about it on the BEAT website.
Benefits of peer support
It can be scary talking to others about your eating disorder for fear they will judge, dismiss or blame you for it, leading to feelings of isolation. This is why finding a supportive community is key. Talking to people with lived experience can bring many benefits. It can provide access to a community that can relate to you, inspiring hope that recovery is possible, improving trust and engagement in treatment while helping to share the emotional burden. You can read more about the support options in Scotland on the Beat website.
Recognising the signs
Spotting the early signs of an eating disorder can lead to better outcomes for both mental and physical health. It’s important to remember that eating disorders don’t have a single ‘look’. Some common indicators include:
- Fixation with food or body image: Constant thoughts about weight, calories or appearance.
- Changes in eating habits: Skipping meals, restrictive diets or unusual eating behaviours.
- Physical symptoms: Tiredness, noticeable weight changes, dizziness or frequent stomach issues.
- Behavioural changes: Avoiding meals with others, secrecy around eating or excessive exercise.
- Emotional changes: Increased anxiety or depression, irritability and becoming withdrawn.
If you think you may have an eating disorder, seek support from a GP as soon as you can.
Speaking about eating disorders
How you talk to someone experiencing disordered eating and the words you use is important so that they know you’re on their side. There’s a chance even with the best intentions that you could accidentally say something triggering or offensive to someone who may be struggling.
Some rules of thumb for talking about eating disorders are below:
1. Avoid making comments about their appearance
Although phrases such as “You look so much healthier with more weight” may feel encouraging, it reinforces the idea that their worth is linked to how they look. Instead, try and provide emotional support and recognise their resilience, without mentioning their body. For example, “I’m proud of you for seeking help”. These comments help encourage them they are more than their eating disorder.
2. Avoid using insensitive phrases
Saying “Just eat normally” can make someone feel embarrassed, ashamed or guilty as it minimises their experience and perpetuates stigma. If you don’t know what to say or how to help, it’s better to just say something supportive that can provide reassurance such as “Hey, I’m here for you” or ask if they are okay and how you can help.
3. Don’t discount their experience
If someone confides in you about their struggles with food, don’t belittle them for it. Saying “everyone has days where they eat too much/not enough” discounts what they are facing.
4. Avoid casually misusing terms
This can look like referring to a slim person as “anorexic”. Anorexia Nervosa is a serious eating disorder that involves complex psychological and physical symptoms, not just being thin.
5. Use person-centred language
Person-centred language emphasises that a mental health condition or their symptoms does not define their whole identity. Say “a person with an eating disorder” instead of “an anorexic” or “a bulimic”.
6. Listen
Often the best thing you can do is stop talking and listen with patience, empathy and understanding. It’s important that the person feels heard and not judged for confiding in you. It can be hard to share the struggles of an eating disorder, so providing that supportive space for someone can make a huge difference.
Use your voice to challenge stereotypes and educate others about eating disorders. Share facts, stories and resources on social media using the hashtag #EDAW2026 to reach your network. By raising awareness, you will help to break down stigma and enable more people who are impacted by eating disorders to access the support they need, when they need it and in a way which works best for them.
Organise or participate in fundraising events to support Change Mental Health. We’re providing life-changing services for individuals and families affected by mental health conditions, including eating disorders. You could do a sponsored walk or run, a creative challenge or even a silent auction. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps fund support resources for those affected by mental illness and their carers.
Fundraise for Change Mental Health
support
Beat is a leading charity for eating disorder support. Contact their helpline on 0808 801 0432 (Monday – Friday, 3pm – 8pm), use their webchat or send an email.
Organisations like SupportED or NEEDS offer various forms of support, including peer support groups, befriending and support for carers of people diagnosed with eating disorders.
Our support page lists other places you can contact if you need urgent help.
contact
Our National Advice and Support Service can help you and people you care for with mental health concerns and money worries.
We can link and signpost you to relevant local and national support, including our own Change Mental Health services, as well supporting with debt, grants and benefits.
The service is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm (closed for lunch between 12.30pm to 1.30pm). Contact 0808 8010 515, email advice@changemh.org or fill in the form on the service webpage.
For full details about the service, visit the National Advice and Support Service webpage.
