The Yoga and Body Image Coalition is proud to be part of World Eating Disorders Action Day!
This is a global initiative to increase access to accurate information about eating disorders, eradicate myths, and collectively advocate for resources and policy change.
Join us and take action!
1. Read and share the Nine Truths About Eating Disorders (see below)
2. Follow World Eating Disorders Day on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn @WorldEDday
3. Join the conversation on social media, using hashtags‪ #‎WeDoAct‬,‪ #‎WorldEatingDisordersDay‬, #WEDOACT and ‪#‎YBIC‬

The first World Eating Disorders Action Day will take place on June 2, 2016 and generate information virtually around the globe. http://WorldEatingDisordersDay.org
Eating disorders are serious, treatable illnesses that result from a complex interplay of genetics, biology and environment. Eating disorders affect up to 70 million people globally including people of all genders, ages, racial and ethnic identities, nationalities and documentation status, abilities, sizes, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, yet many go untreated despite the fact that new research and methods are increasingly showing positive results for full recovery.
On the heels of the release of the groundbreaking “Nine Truths About Eating Disorders” a global grassroots effort for a World Eating Disorder Action Day was launched to draw attention to these devastating, yet treatable disorders.
According to Amy Cunningham, co-founder of International Eating Disorder Action, “The first ever World Eating Disorder Action Day sends a powerful message to policy makers across the globe on the need for action, underscores the fact that eating disorders don’t discriminate and at the same time gives hope for successful intervention.”
Through virtual and country specific activism, World Eating Disorders Action Day will advance the understanding of eating disorders as treatable genetically-linked illnesses that affect a large cross-section of the world’s population, embraces diversity, and raises awareness amongst policy makers to allocate resources and establish coherent national systems. Furthermore, the Day offers new connections and global
partnerships, grows the advocacy base and creates opportunities for additional actions for change at an international level.
A Steering Committee comprising the Academy for Eating Disorders, Author June Alexander, Beating Eating Disorders, BingeBehavior.com, Elephant in the Room Foundation, Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders/F.E.A.S.T, International Eating Disorders Action, Nalgona Positivity Pride, National Association of Males with Eating Disorders, National Eating Disorders Association, Not All Black Girls Know How to Eat and Trans Folx Fighting Eating Disorders will provide guidance and represent communities across the globe.

The following nine “truths” about eating disorders may surprise you:

Truth No. 1: Many people with eating disorders look healthy, yet may be extremely ill.

Truth No. 2: Families are not to blame and can be the patients’ and providers’ best allies in treatment.

Truth No. 3: An eating disorder diagnosis is a health crisis that disrupts personal and family functioning.

Truth No. 4: Eating disorders are not choices, but serious biologically influenced illnesses.

Truth No. 5: Eating disorders affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, body shapes and weights, sexual orientations and socioeconomic statuses.

Truth No. 6: Eating disorders carry an increased risk for both suicide and medical complications.

Truth No. 7: Genes and environment play important roles in the development of eating disorders.

Truth No. 8: Genes alone do not predict who will develop eating disorders.

Truth No. 9: Full recovery from an eating disorder is possible. Early detection and intervention are important.

Contact and to join:
http://WorldEatingDisordersDay.org
Facebook: World Eating Disorders Day
Twitter: @WorldEDday and #WeDoAct
Email: WorldEatingDisorderDay@gmail.com