2 Eating disorders week 1-7 March
Most people eat to live, some appear to live to eat. Some don’t have enough food because of poverty or famine, and go hungry. Some don’t eat a balanced diet of ‘healthy’ food because of poverty-related issues. There are also a substantial number of people (maybe 1:50) who at some time in their lives experience eating disorders, linked to mental health issues concerning anxiety, self-image, self-worth etc. There are a number of recognised forms that eating disorders can take: Anorexia Nervosa, Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), binge eating, Bulimia, Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED). This isn’t about being greedy, or lacking will-power, or following a too-strict diet. It’s more about feelings than food. Maybe it’s something we share, maybe we suspect that someone we know might have it. There is help and support available, and often opening up to talk about the anxieties and issues is key to addressing the symptoms. Further information is available on the NHS website, and on the website of the charity organising Eating disorders week: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/edaw
Lord, many people suffer from one form or other of eating disorders – and often we don’t notice. Help us to recognise them – in ourselves, or in other people – and seek help/ tactfully encourage others to seek help. Help us to find ways of being able to share anxieties and concerns in a safe context, and ways to encourage people to ‘love themselves’ – to feel valued and affirmed
