Yesterday I received a text from my husband asking why there were 6 large cartons on our front stoop. A quick call confirmed that these are the National Eating Disorder Association tote bags that we will be filling with goodies and giving away at the Madison NEDA Walk. In addition to 6 cartons of tote bags, I am also struggling to stash away the many in-kind donations and prizes we have received. My closets are bulging (a good problem to have).
I received the ‘tote text’ just as I was arriving at the home of one of the walk committee members for an in-person planning session with the whole team. With everyone’s busy lives, we have struggled to meet in person, so it was great that almost all of us (5 out of 6) were able to be there in person; the room buzzed with the resultant energy (although the lightening storm outside may have also contributed). This group has enough ideas and energy for 6 walks!
With the walk only a month away, we are now pulling out all the stops to promote the walk, align volunteers and finalize logistics. The teamwork is great, and it is gratifying to see the walker count and donations steadily creeping up and up. It feels really good to be doing something tangible in the fight against eating disorders. We are going to line the NEDA Walk route with Eating Disorder related facts–which help keep us all focused on WHY we are doing this. Here is a sampling:
- In the US, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life.
- 40-60% of ELEMENTARY school girls aged 6-12 are concerned about their weight or about becoming too fat.
- Anorexia Nervosa has the highest premature mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. (that’s the one that sends shivers up and down MY spine)
- Eating Disorders affect over 30 million people, but only receive $28 million in government funding for research. In contrast, Alzheimer’s affects 5.1 million people and receives $450 million.
- The average American woman is 5’4″ tall and weighs 165 pounds. The average Miss America winner is 5’7″ and weighs 121 pounds. Fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women.
- 95% of all dieters will regain their lost weight in 1-5 years.
- Eating Disorders don’t discriminate. They affect Whites, Hispanics, African Americans, and Asians at similar rates.
- The treatment costs of an eating disorder in the US ranges from $500 to $2,000 a day.
- Dieting and body dissatisfaction are among the greatest risk factors for the development of an eating disorder.
Another local fact, is that there are very limited treatment options in our own community — most families need to go to Milwaukee or Minneapolis for treatment. That is a real hardship for families as well as a barrier for treatment.
Even as I continue to promote the walk and get tangled up in the details of planning this event; it is important to keep focused on WHY we walk. It is our personal experiences with eating disorders that motivate many of us. In my case, I started walking for Guzzy, but I continue forward on behalf of everyone’s sons and daughters. How can I not?