{"id":1254,"date":"2026-02-16T13:25:29","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T13:25:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/office-student-success-services\/?p=1254"},"modified":"2026-02-16T13:26:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T13:26:00","slug":"eating-disorders-awareness-is-key","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/office-student-success-services\/2026\/02\/eating-disorders-awareness-is-key\/","title":{"rendered":"Eating Disorders – Awareness is Key"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eating Disorders – Awareness is Key<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jess Jolly, LCSW-C\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Director of Counseling services<\/strong><\/p>\n

February is known for many special events that are nestled in the heart of winter\u2019s most bitterly cold days including Valentines Day, Groundhogs Day, Black History Month, Chinese New Year, Heart Health Month, and Carrot Cake Day to name a few. But did you know there is a very important awareness week that should also be added to our calendar?<\/p>\n

Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) takes place the last week of February. This year, it is observed from Monday February 24 – March 2. This annual campaign seeks to educate the public about the realities of eating disorders. It also brings visibility and hope to individuals and loved ones impacted by eating disorders.<\/p>\n

Eating disorders are serious medical conditions that tend to get worse over time, and can become life-threatening. These disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.\u00a0 Eating disorders can appear in adolescence and young adulthood with college students being particularly susceptible to eating disorders.<\/p>\n

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, it is estimated that 9% of the US population, or 28.8 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Eating disorders impact both males and females and is estimated that lifetime prevalence is 8.60% among females and 4.07% among males. It is also known that members of the LGBTQ+ community are at greater risk for food insecurity, eating disorders, and depression, particularly those who identify as trans males.<\/p>\n

In regards to race and ethnicity, a 2019 study found that Hispanic\/Latina\/o, Black\/African American, and Asian Americans are more likely to engage in disordered eating behaviors than their white counterparts. However, youth of color are less than two thirds as likely to receive recommended treatment compared with white youth.<\/p>\n

Identifying the signs of an eating disorder in yourself or a loved one can be the first step to receiving\u00a0 professional help.\u00a0 According to JED Campus, the following signs may indicate the presence of an eating disorder:<\/p>\n