The National Eating Disorders Association: History, Services, And Impact
Research estimates that nearly 28.8 million Americans will have an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime. Many organizations are working to draw attention to the seriousness of eating disorders and offer support to the people whose lives these conditions directly affect every day.
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is one of the leading nonprofit organizations whose mission is to raise awareness, support research, and directly offer support to those impacted by eating disorders. If you think you could be living with an eating disorder, NEDA can be an excellent resource for your healing journey. Consider contacting a licensed mental health professional for further support.
History of the National Eating Disorders Association
NEDA is a nonprofit organization that was formed in 2001, when Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention, Inc. and the American Anorexia/Bulimia Association merged. Its goal is generally to enhance the treatment and prevention of eating disorders by supporting research, education, support groups, and other forms of outreach to people with eating disorders and their families and friends.
The NEDA provides several services, with extensive information available on its website. Here are some of the ways NEDA supports its mission.
Learn
NEDA’s website features the Grace Holland Cozine Resource Center, which offers a wide range of information for people with eating disorders and their loved ones, as well as children, students, and educators.
This resource provides various learning materials, including information about warning signs and symptoms of eating disorders, medical complications of eating disorders, body image, the effects of the media, and links to excerpts from NEDA’s YouTube channel program, Excerpts from the Experts.
People visiting the website can also find information about getting and paying for treatment, and there are resources for professionals on how to treat clients with eating disorders, including professional guidelines and links to other organizations that offer support.
Students can find back-to-school resources, including tips for how to manage difficult transitions, FAQs, relevant NEDA blog posts, and a presentation explaining the basics of eating disorders.
Get help
For those looking for help with an eating disorder, NEDA offers multiple resources where you can find therapists, registered dieticians, and treatment centers, including a link to a directory of professionals who specialize in serving the AAPI and BIPOC communities.
Get screened
NEAD also offers a screening tool for people ages 13 and older to help them determine whether it’s time to seek professional help. For people who may be at risk of developing eating disorders, this tool can recommend possible next steps and provide links to useful resources.
Get involved
The Get Involved tab on NEDA’s website provides information about the ways in which the organization is actively advocating and educating others in the real world. Some of the ways NEDA encourages people to get involved include the following:
Eating Disorders Awareness Week
Eating Disorders Awareness Week happens every year from the end of February to the beginning of March. This campaign generally aims to educate the public about eating disorders and to provide hope and support for those affected by them. Campaign resources are available on the website, including a link to sign up to be a collaborator or find out how to join the Lighting Campaign, and there are numerous downloadable graphics to share on social media.
NEDA Walks
NEDA Walks are community walks organized to increase awareness about eating disorders and fundraise for the organization. The website provides information about walks happening across the country and links where you can register to participate or make a donation.
Campus Warriors
Campus Warriors is an outreach program designed for university and college campuses to raise awareness about eating disorders and fundraise for NEDA. Campus Warriors are individual people, like students and faculty members, as well as student organizations who have lived experience with eating disorders, who volunteer to represent NEDA on campus.
The Body Project
The Body Project is a prevention program for high schools and colleges that aims to provide a place where women and girls can “confront unrealistic beauty ideals and engage them in the development of healthy body image through verbal, written, and behavioral exercises.”
It was developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, Stanford University, and Oregon Research Institute. The idea behind the Body Project is that if women and girls fight back against unrealistic societal beauty standards, people may choose not to subscribe to these ideals, which can lead to fewer people experiencing eating disorders.
Impact of NEDA
One area where NEDA is making an impact is in research. Since 2013, NEDA has awarded more than $2 million in grants to researchers involved in projects aimed at improving the lives of people affected by eating disorders.
NEDA is also involved with The Global Foundation for Eating Disorders (GFED) Early Investigators Research Grant. This program was established in 2022 and supports researchers who are early in their careers and wish to pursue research concerned with eating disorders treatment.
In addition to supporting research, NEDA hosts more than 40 NEDA Walks around the country every year, providing free registration and incentive gear for individual and team fundraising efforts. The organization also hosts the NEDA Annual Gala. Tickets cost between $500 and $50,000 to attend at various sponsorship levels.
Other organizations that offer support
Other organizations that provide support for those with eating disorders by offering resources, fundraising, and supporting research are discussed below.
The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)
ANAD is a nonprofit organization founded in 1976 by a nurse named Vivian Meehan, who struggled to find support after her daughter was diagnosed with anorexia. What started in Meehan’s basement grew to be one of the country’s leading nonprofits for those with eating disorders, hosting 11 virtual support groups, a helpline, and a mentorship program. ANAD helps about 200 people each week.
The National Alliance for Eating Disorders
Johanna Kandel founded The Alliance after recovering from her own battles with eating disorders in October 2000. Over the next two decades, The Alliance worked to raise awareness and erase the stigma and secrecy around eating disorders. This organization offers a helpline, referrals to various providers, free support groups, and educational events.
Fighting Eating Disorders in Underrepresented Populations (FEDUP)
FEDUP is a collective of trans, intersex, and gender-diverse people aiming to raise awareness about the pervasiveness of eating disorders in the trans and gender-diverse community and make treatment more accessible. It offers resources for people in this community to get help with treatment, including a directory of counselors, therapists, coaches, and registered dieticians who provide gender-affirming care.
Other ways of getting help for an eating disorder
Many people with eating disorders also have other mental health disorders, with some of the most common being anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and personality disorders. Treatment plans vary, but for many people, psychotherapy can be an important part of recovery.
If you are experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder or another mental health condition, consider reaching out to an online therapist for convenient and accessible support. Eating disorders may be accompanied by feelings of shame and guilt, and other mental health conditions can make it challenging to leave home to speak with someone in person.
With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can work with a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home or any location with an internet connection. Plus, you can change therapists any time for free until you find one with whom you are comfortable.
Research has found online therapy to be an effective option for people with eating disorders. For example, a 2022 study found that “short-term clinical outcomes with virtual and in-person ED (eating disorder) therapies are comparable, and point to potentials of virtual therapy for situations in which geographical distance or other barriers impede physical access to trained therapists or specialized treatments.”
Takeaway
NEDA and other organizations are working hard to bring awareness to eating disorders while supporting research on treatments and providing support to people who experience the challenges of these conditions in their daily lives. Exploring NEDA’s resources can be a great place to start if you’re living with disordered eating habits. For further guidance, reach out to a licensed therapist online or in your local area.
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