June 2nd is World Eating Disorders Action Day, an awareness day organised by a global collective of thousands of individual activists, and by more than 200 organisations in  over 50 countries. This year’s theme is “Eating Disorders: We Can’t Afford to Wait” and emphasizes the need for policy makers, providers, programs and families to act now. 

Interesting facts about eating disorders

Did you know that an estimated 70 million people globally are affected by eating disorders and that they have the highest rate of mortality of any psychiatric illness? We sat down with Aimee Maxwell, a Registered Psychologist working at Griffith’s Gold Coast psychology clinic, for her insights into eating disorders:

  1. Eating disorders and disordered eating together are estimated to affect over 16% of the Australian population.
  2. Eating disorders are more than just dieting. They involve an extreme fixation on food and distorted thoughts about body, shape and weight.
  3. Patients with eating disorders often believe that the ability to control their body, shape and weight will increase happiness and satisfaction, when we know it has the opposite effect.
  4. Eating disorders occur in people of all different body types and from different cultural backgrounds.
  5. Dieting is the single, biggest predictor of an eating disorder. 
  6. Eating disorders are a pervasive illness and require specialist treatment.

We’re here to help

If you or someone you know struggles with disordered eating or body image, please contact our clinic on 1800 188 295 to book an appointment with one of our Psychologists and/or Dietitians.

Aimee Maxwell is a Registered Psychologist and commenced in our psychology clinic recently. She has a particular interest in helping children and adults with social skills issues and eating disorders and is currently undertaking advanced studies in these areas.

For more information please visit ttps://www.griffith.edu.au/griffith-health/clinics/psychology-clinic-gold-coast.

About World Eating Disorders Action Day

World Eating Disorders Action Day is a 100% independent, grassroots effort that began in 2015 to link affected people and countries together in a united effort to improve understanding about eating disorders, and to offer hope, solutions and change. We encourage everyone to jump on social media, to use the hashtags #ShareYourStory #WeDoAct #WorldEDDay2020 and TRENDING on June 2 is the hashtag #WeDoAct2020
Contact [email protected] or visit www.worldeatingdisordersday.org for more information.