A few reasons to raise awareness about *eating disorders:
- Every 52 minutes 1 person dies as a direct consequence of an eating disorder.
- Eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness behind opiate addiction.
- Less than 6% of persons with an eating disorder are medically underweight.
- Due to the culturally prevalent view that eating disorders only affect young girls, men experience a delay in recognizing their behaviors as possible symptoms of an eating disorder.
- The burden of caregiving for persons with an eating disorder is higher than caring for persons with depression or schizophrenia.
The National Eating Disorder Association provides infographics you can share and has events and other opportunities to increase your understanding.
The Diocese of Charleston has put together a set of resources and this Catholic in Recovery blog post looks at eating disorders and Lenten fasting.
Prayer of the Faithful
For persons with eating disorders, that they are seen and supported throughout recovery and their entire lives. And for caregivers of persons with eating disorders, that they receive support to sustain themselves and to better care for their loved ones.
*Statistics appear as cited on NEDA's website. The website includes full citations to the research studies and, often, links to the articles.