COLUMBUS – The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), the nation’s leading nonprofit for eating disorders, is organizing its Columbus NEDA Walk on Sunday at The Ohio State University, Recreation and Physical Activity Center (RPAC). NEDA Walks spread awareness about the realities of eating disorders and build supportive, local communities of hope, strength and recovery.
A common misconception is that eating disorders affect a specific type of person, but the media portrayals are not always accurate. In the U.S., eating disorders already affect 28.8 million people. Those aged 12 through 25 make up 95% of cases. Eating disorders are serious mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes and weights. These disorders have the second highest mortality rate of all mental health disorders, surpassed only by opioid use disorder. Money raised from this NEDA Walk will help fund vital programs and resources focused on prevention, cures and access to quality care.
“Twenty million women and 10 million men in the U.S. will struggle with an eating disorder at some point in their lives,” Sarah Chase, vice president of communication, said. “Moreover, a recent report in JAMA found that 22% of children and adolescents worldwide, that’s one-fourth of young people, showed disordered eating.”
“NEDA’s website has seen an 89% increase in traffic this year, and our resources are accessed by millions of Americans every month,” Chase said. “Eighty-one percent of the people who visit our site daily are new information seekers. Our chatbot and helpline have seen significant uptake this year, and we continue to offer vital screening tools for people who think they may have an eating disorder and want more information.”
“The reality is that eating disorders affect people regardless of age, race and gender,” she said. “Our NEDA Walks are a beautiful reflection of this diverse and hopeful community, and we are incredibly thankful for our energized, engaged and transformative volunteers who make these events possible. In 2023, we’ll be in more than 50 communities across the United States, bringing hope and building strength. We’re here to ensure that everyone has access to the support they deserve. Our strength comes from the experience and knowledge of our volunteers. Please join us as we come one step closer to a world without eating disorders.”
Learn how you can join tens of thousands of passionate walkers, participating in-person or virtually, across the country to make a difference in the fight against eating disorders. To pre-register, visit nedawalk.org/columbus2023.
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