All Humans Are Beautiful

National Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Welcome to National Eating Disorder Awareness week!  This is an important week to help bring awareness to the millions of people who have or are struggling with eating disorders.  I want to remind you that any person, no matter their weight/size can have an eating disorder.  We need to have awareness around this deadly disease just like we do for other life- threatening illnesses.   

What is an Eating Disorder?

There are several different ways to define eating disorders.  The American Psychiatric Association has identified a number of specific eating disorders in the Diagnostic and Statical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR).  However, after working in this field for 20 years I want to share a secret… an eating disorder is anytime you are using food to manage your emotions and it is negatively impacting your health.  That’s it.  It doesn’t matter if you are restricting and not eating to try to manage intense negative emotions or if you are binging on food to avoid feelings.  

Why?

The United States is continuing to see a rise in individuals struggling with eating disorders.  Some blame physicians/medical personal for some of them being “fat phobic” and speaking about the obesity epidemic.  Some blame educators for lack of knowledge around the topic.  Others blame social media for the rise in eating disorders.  Any/all of these may impact how individuals view their body, as well as a multitude of other factors (genetics, family structure, other psychiatric struggles, etc.).

Be BOLD

I was recently on a vacation in Costa Rica (even therapists need self -care time away)! and came across a small boutique called, “Luna May”.  They had adorable dresses and clothing!  Of course, I try on a couple of dresses.  The woman working there was super helpful in showing me that they had dresses in different lengths (I am only 4’10”) and which ones would likely be a better fit for me.  I found one that fit me perfectly!  I was so excited to be able to support a local boutique in Puerto Viejo, Limon, Costa Rica.  And then the best part happened… While I was trying on the clothes, I realized the tag said, “All Humans Are Beautiful”.  I almost cried!  For 20 years I have been working to express this exact concept and now I found a woman in Costa Rica who designs and sells her own clothes and spreads this exact message on every item she makes!  How cool!  Of course, I had to buy the adorable dress and will do my best to continue spreading her message that All Humans Are Beautiful”!

What Can WE Do

Ok, so we may not be able to design and sell clothes with the message written in each outfit, but there are things we can do to help support healthy body image.

• EveryBODY is different and unique.  With this comes different needs.
• EveryBODY needs nourishment!
• EveryBODY needs some movement.
• EveryBODY has multiple purposes; from allowing us to move, digest food for energy, hug someone, engage in a sport/hobby, be creative, or utilize our intelligence.    
• EveryBODY deserves to feel safe and take up space.   

Next Steps

So, find a way during this week to promote healthy body image.  Focus on the health of someone (NOT size), how strong someone is, how amazing it is that their body allows them to do different activities, and how to nourish and take care of our bodies.  Find a way to spread, “All Humans Are Beautiful” and “Pura Vida”!