Eating disorders can be isolating, making people feel alone whether someone has an eating disorder themselves or whether they are supporting someone.
Right now, around 1 in 20 people have an eating disorder – and the emotional and physical toll also affects the millions of loved ones supporting them. Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is a unique opportunity to raise awareness of eating disorders, break down stereotypes and reduce stigma.
Past awareness weeks have focused on community, raising awareness that anyone can be affected by an eating disorder, ARFID, binge eating disorder, men, medical schools training, carers, busting stereotypes, self-esteem, eating disorders in the workplace and more...
In 2027, Eating Disorders Awareness Week will take place from 22 February to 28 February, and the theme is Neurodivergence and Eating Disorders.
There are lots of ways to get involved during EDAW, whether you fundraise, share your experiences by writing a blog for our website or share our content on social media.
15 September 2021
Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2027 - Neurodivergence and Eating Disorders - Fill in our survey
18 May 2026
Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2026 raised awareness about the importance of community and connection.
24 September 2025
Our 2025 campaign showed that eating disorders can affect anyone
Eating Disorders Awareness Week is a week-long campaign that takes place every year in February. This year it takes place 22 February to 28 February. It puts the spotlight on eating disorders, challenges stereotypes and stigma and highlights the need for greater public awareness of this mental illness, the need for better understanding, faster diagnosis and proper treatment. We reach millions of people every year during the week and beyond.
Beat has been organising Eating Disorders Awareness Week for more than 25 years, with the first one in the UK thought to have taken place in 2001. We’re here during the week, and all year round, when people need us most – we empower them to take the steps they need towards recovery. We also work with researchers, the media, and develop and campaign for change in eating disorder treatment and care.
Around 1 in 20 (3.5 million) people in the UK have an eating disorder. And millions of loved ones around them are affected, too. Eating Disorders Awareness Week is part of our mission to be there to empower people to take the steps they need to take towards recovery – and to stop others being affected in the future.
We know from speaking to people with eating disorders, those caring for them and from speaking to professionals that there is a real need for more information and understanding about neurodivergence and eating disorders.
Neurodivergence means that someone’s brain works, learns or processes information in a different way from what might be considered ‘typical’. This can include, but is not limited to, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, and Tourette syndrome.
Research shows that autistic people and people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be more likely to develop an eating disorder.
There is also evidence that other types of neurodivergence may be linked to problems with disordered eating.
Previous themes for Eating disorders Awareness Week have included; community, anyone can be affected by an eating disorder, ARFID, men, medical schools training, binge eating disorder, carers and more...