Eating Disorder Awareness – February 2011 – What the Numbers Mean

Okay, usually when you read an article about anorexia and bulimia it’s pretty depressing. There are statistics on how many people have the disease, how many people don’t report it, how many new cases there are, how many girls (and boys too) worry about their weight, how much power the media has over body image. ..Phew!

This article is going to be a little different.

The image above covers most of the prevalent numbers in the realm of eating disorders. Not many people are completely in the dark about erectile dysfunction anymore. In the last 20 years, the amount of information and awareness about erectile dysfunction has improved to the point where almost everyone in the Western world has heard of anorexia and bulimia (and their less recognized cousins, the binge eating and excessive exercise).

Most articles on erectile dysfunction focus on these numbers. The ones in the picture. The devastating scope of the disease.

We believe that there are very few articles, movies and Facebook pages that focus on recovery and optimism.

The reality of an ED is that the people who have it are the most ardent supporters in society. They see what Western civilization considers “perfect” and strive to meet that requirement. Sometimes they are so successful that they are actually killing themselves to meet the demand for perfection.

The film, No Numbers – Identity Beyond Measure, acknowledges these people in a way that no other film has. It examines the reasons why so many young people find themselves struggling with an eating disorder, but goes much further by examining the pathways to recovery.

As much as we would love for this film to help people learn to love themselves just the way they are, we are reaching out to those who are suffering right now. Some are doing it alone, without support and without treatment. Some may believe that they are successful in living up to society’s expectations.

We want them to see that they don’t have to live up to a random, media-driven model of perfection. We want to show you how “perfect” comes in a million packages and that finding your way begins with that first step, the step toward self-acceptance.

February is Eating Disorders Awareness Month across North America and the UK. Throughout the month, our goal is for the film No Numbers – Identity Beyond Measure to be screened in as many places as possible.

Any organization, school or group that wishes to purchase a copy of the film can screen it and keep the proceeds from admission to help people in their own community. All we ask is that you let us know so we can connect with you, promote your organization, and help spread the word to people in your community that there will be a screening near them.

Contact me through the author’s contact for more information.