Natalie Escobar
Life Reporter

Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW) begins on Sunday with the goal to reduce binge eating, anorexia, bulimia, dieting and body image problems through a public education program.

The week is planned by the National Eating Disorder Information Centre, a non-profit organization established in 1985.

“This year we are focusing on doing a media blitz, hoping to create some buzz,” said Suzanne Phillips, the centre’s program co-ordinator.

Throughout the week, the centre will launch a national media campaign to heighten awareness, encourage family acknowledgement to the problem, advocate for changes in attitudes toward gender stereotyping and to make governments aware of the need for additional funding for health promotion.

“The theme for the week never changes,” said Phillips. “We celebrate our natural shapes and sizes.”

The centre’s website has a link to the Real Me Experience, an interactive site that deals with topics such as self-esteem, body image, individual strategies for change and other problems that relate to eating disorders. The site also teaches about the “power of one.”

“I think in general any kind of information that students can get can be helpful. I think it’s (EDAW) good because it makes people feel like they aren’t alone,” said Catherine Wilson Cheverie, a counsellor from Student Services.

“It can serve to help you notice the signs of someone with an eating disorder,” said Kary Furtado, 19, a first-year business marketing student.

“A close friend of mine was suffering from bulimia, Furtado continued. “She would eat and then go to the bathroom. I just noticed over time it was a pattern, then I made her go see someone.” Eating Disorder Awareness Week runs Feb. 3 to Feb. 9.