According to the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) , eating disorders are complex, chronic illnesses largely misunderstood and misdiagnosed. The most common eating disorders, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating are on the rise in the United States and worldwide. No one knows exactly what causes eating disorders.
To learn more, please visit the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) web page on eating disorders . There you will find specific information on the following disorders:
You may also wish to access the Parent Toolkit from the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) . The toolkit is a resource for anyone wanting to understand more about eating disorders and how to support a family member or friend who is affected.
February 21-27, 2010, is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week .
Additional Resources: