Beat suggests that around approximately 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder, of which ¼ are male. Anorexia Nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder.

In the past months, hospitals have been a rise in hospital admissions attributed to eating disorders, have made multiple headlines (see links below). 

Hope Virgo, an award-winning international advocate for those with eating disorders, will be delivering a talk for Headucate this January in order to raise awareness about eating disorders and the struggles involved in recovery and treatment. She recently led the #DumpTheScales campaign, which calls on the government to review the eating disorder guidance offered by clinicians and psychologists, ensuring that those with eating disorders are treated as soon as possible, no matter their weight “on the scales”. Over 100,000 people have signed her change.org petition. Hopefully, change will avoid those needing help hitting a “crisis point” before they’re actually offered support.  

Other eating disorders include bulimia, binge-eating disorder, and many more. The coronavirus pandemic has had many effects on those with eating disorders, for example food hoarding and advice to shop as infrequently as possible has resulted in stockpiling, and possibly binge-purge cycles. Gyms and exercise have been more restricted, and not seeing family and friends may have caused worsened feelings of isolation/depression. More time on social media may have meant more exposure to unhelpful messages surrounding eating and body image, which may have also been triggering for many with eating disorders. Because eating disorders are often caused by major lifestyle changes, like being unable to go into school or the office, it’s thought that the pandemic has caused an increase in relapse or new eating disorders, therefore this campaign is now more important than ever. 

This talk forms part of our wider Headucate campaign around Eating Disorders Awareness Week, 1-7^th March. We look forward to seeing you there! Join the FB event or grab a free ticket on the UEA SU Headucate event (https://uea.su/events/7575/14386/) to receive the Blackboard Collaborate joining link. 

 

Hope Virgo speaking about her campaign with the BBC (Nov 2020): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-54919066 

 

Rise in Eating Disorders during lockdown 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55468632 

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stress-of-coronavirus-lockdown-drives-rise-of-eating-disorders-among-the-young-mw5qk50j9 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-51962964 

 

Event Support Information: Mental Health and Eating Disorders can be a difficult subject to discuss for some. Please do bear in mind contacting Beat on their helpline, email or some of their chat rooms if you would like to talk to anyone in a more private manner. Your GP is also a great person to contact if you feel you have an Eating Disorder. https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/support-services/helplines 

FB event: https://www.facebook.com/events/505410060414553/