Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2025: The causes of eating disorders
A collaboration of Australia’s leading eating disorder organisations is proud to announce the 2025 theme for Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness Week (BIEDAW), this 1-7 September: Unpacking the Why: What causes eating disorders?
1 in 10 people in Australia will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime. There is no single cause, and each journey is as unique as the person walking it.
This year’s theme invites us all to understand the true breadth of challenges that can cause an eating disorder: from body dissatisfaction, to trauma, anxiety, unmet sensory needs, co-occurring health conditions, and more.
Unpacking the Why builds empathy for the many people whose experiences of an eating disorder may lead them to feel ‘invisible’ behind common stereotypes.
When we show the full picture, we send a clear message: I see you. You are safe to talk about what’s really going on. I will meet you where you’re at and walk alongside you.
You can recognise BIEDAW by learning about the various causes of eating disorders, raising awareness, having a caring conversation with someone about body image or eating disorders, attending a BIEDAW event, or donating to an eating disorder organisation.
BIEDAW is proudly led by:
- Australia & New Zealand Academy of Eating Disorders (ANZAED)
- Butterfly Foundation
- Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA)
- Eating Disorders Queensland (EDQ)
- Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV)
- National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC)
Get involved
- Learn more about BIEDAW and the 2025 theme
- Social media: Download the social media package.
Events:
- 28-31 August: ANZAED Eating Disorders conference. Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
- 3 September: Eating Disorders Victoria community day. Register via engagement@EatingDisorders.org.au.
- 4 September, 1-2pm: Butterfly webinar Unpacking the Why: Exploring how eating disorders develop and how to seek support. Online. Register via comms@butterfly.org.au.
Raise awareness:
- Finding safe, effective, evidence-based care can be tricky. Find Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinicians all in one place: anzaed.org.au
Media contact
Zoe Bradbury, Butterfly Communications Manager
zoe.bradbury@butterfly.org.au
0400 585 855
Experts and lived experience case studies available for interviews on request.
