Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Today kicks off National Eating Disorders Week. Some facts about eating disorders:

• Up to 24 million people in the US suffer from some sort of eating disorder
• Only 1 in 10 people with an eating disorder receive treatment
• Almost half of people with an eating disorder also meet the criteria for depression
• Anorexia is the 3rd most common chronic illness among adolescents
• Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness
• One key thing to note- only 5% of females naturally have the body shape most frequently portrayed in advertising and the media

If you know of someone who is struggling with their eating or exercising or have concerns about your own habits, please get help! You can always talk with one of your school counselors, contact our Student Assistance Program (515-244-6090), or find out more information at Iowa's Eating Disorder Coalition (www.edciowa.org).