National Eating Disorders Association Announces 16th Annual 'Eating Disorders Awareness Week' February 23 – March 2

National Eating Disorders Association
Monday, 27 January 2003

PBS Documentary, PSA Ad Campaigns and ‘The Great Jeans Giveaway'Highlight Week's Activities

The battle against the medical disorder called the "silent epidemic" – due to the hidden, behind-closed-doors nature of the disease – gets prime-time recognition as the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) launches this year's Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) Feb. 23 through March 2. The annual educational campaign draws public and media attention to disordered eating and body dissatisfaction through a variety of high-profile activities and tie-ins. Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating affect as many as 11 million Americans.

The 2003 EDAW campaign is NEDA's highest profile to date. Included is a PBS special, Perfect Illusions: Eating Disorders and the Family, which takes an unprecedented look at the ripple effects of an eating disorder on sufferers, their families and friends. In addition, two national PSA ad campaigns will increase public awareness. One of these, the "Listen to Your Body" print campaign, features Jamie-Lynn Sigler, the actress who portrays Meadow on the hit HBO series The Sopranos.

Additionally, NEDA is sponsoring grassroots events in schools and communities across the country, including the "Great Jeans Giveaway," which spreads the message, "Don't fight your genes, just change your jeans!"

Notes incoming NEDA president Dr. Doug Bunnell, "Eating Disorders Awareness Week is an important tool in our on-going outreach to prevent this epidemic which affects millions of our country's youth and young adults. This campaign has been hugely successful in reaching families who need help and educating them on the numerous resources available to them. No one is alone if they just reach out."

For more information, or to contact National Eating Disorders Association, see their website at: www.NationalEatingDisorders.org