Butterfly joins global effort to break down eating disorder myths and support families to intervene early this World Eating Disorder Action Day

Butterfly Foundation, Australia’s national charity for eating disorders and body image concerns, is joining more than 250 organisations from across the globe this World Eating Disorders Action Day to shine a light on the challenges faced by people living with eating disorders and advocate for the importance of intervening early.

Less than a quarter of people in Australia have referred someone they’re concerned about to eating disorder support services and only 11 per cent are confident they can recognise the signs that someone is living with an eating disorder. 

Eating disorders impact over 1.1 million people in Australia, but less than a third of those access the support they need to recover[1]. This could be due to misconceptions surrounding eating disorders, with research showing 1 in 7 people believe those with eating disorders could ‘snap out of it’ and 1 in 6 perceive eating disorders as a sign of weakness [2]. Other common myths include that eating disorders are a lifestyle choice, they only affect young girls, and that they are a sign of vanity or attention seeking.

This 2025 World Eating Disorders Action Day theme “Breaking Bias and Supporting Families” highlights the need to break down these common misconceptions that result in delayed access to treatment and poorer treatment outcomes, as well as the important role families can play in early intervention.

“Stigma and shame are the most frequently identified barriers for accessing eating disorder treatment,” said Manager of the Butterfly National Helpline, Sarah Cox.

“It means times like World Eating Disorder Action Day are incredibly important in spreading awareness about the reality of living with an eating disorder – a severe psychological illness with one of the highest mortality rates”.

Supporting families to intervene early

Early intervention can have a marked difference on an eating disorder’s severity and duration [3], and families can play a key role in noticing the early warning signs and connecting their loved one with support.

But worryingly, less than a quarter of people in Australia have referred someone they’re concerned about to support services and only 11 per cent are confident they can recognise the signs that someone is living with an eating disorder [4].

Jeanette Slaney, from Mansfield, Victoria, cared for her two daughters both diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa and said that accessing timely and specialised care remains a “major challenge”, particularly for families in rural areas.

“As a mother of two daughters diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa, the early signs can be subtle and so easily overlooked as ‘typical’ teenage behaviour,” said Jeanette.

“By the time we recognised [the signs], the illness was already deeply rooted. Early intervention in eating disorders is vital, and without early access to care, the illness becomes more entrenched, recovery is harder, and the toll on families only grows.”

Sarah also emphasised the importance of early intervention and recommends parents should reach out for support as soon as possible.

“Common signs of eating disorders in young people include excessive or compulsive exercise, obsession or preoccupation with food, cutting out major food groups, secrecy around eating, skipping meals and changes in bathroom habits, such as frequent visits to the bathroom after eating,” said Sarah.

“If any parents are noticing these signs, it’s essential they reach out for support and know that they don’t need to navigate this alone – we’re here to help”.

This World Eating Disorders Action Day and beyond, Butterfly encourages families to access resources and programs designed to help them care for their loved one:

• Screening Tool – complete the ‘Are you at Risk’ Screening Tool with your loved one to understand if their symptoms indicate they should see a trained health professional, such as GP or psychologist.  
• Carer Support Groups – available every fortnight, Butterfly’s Virtual Carer Support Groups are facilitated by trained facilitators who have lived experience of caring for a loved one with body image issues or an eating disorder. Anyone over age 18 from anywhere in Australia is welcome to attend. 
• Understanding Eating Disorder Recovery For Carers – Butterfly’s free 6-week webinar-based workshop can help you develop practical skills to support your loved one in their recovery. 
• Collaborative Care Skills Program – Butterfly’s free program offers evidence-based training in motivational interviewing and effective communication techniques to aid in the recovery from a loved one’s eating disorder. Carers will also be provided with support around self-care and wellbeing to reduce psychological distress, burden, expressed emotion, and boundaries in level of involvement. 
• Butterfly National Helpline – For confidential and free support, call 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) or visit www.butterfly.org.au to chat online or email, 7 days a week, 8am-midnight (AEDT) 
• Eating Disorders Families Australia – carer support groups and education.  

-ENDS-

Media Contact: 

Zoe Bradbury – Butterfly Communications Manager

Ph: 0400 585 855

E: zoe.bradbury@butterfly.org.au

About Butterfly Foundation
Butterfly is the national charity for all Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them. Butterfly changes lives by providing innovative, evidence-based support services, treatment and resources, prevention and early intervention programs, and by advocating for the needs of our community.

Editor and producers note: 

Please include the following support line details in all media coverage of this story and refer to the Mindframe Media Guidelines for safe reporting on eating disorders. Please include the following helpline message.

Help and Support 

Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues is encouraged to contact:

• Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) or visit www.butterfly.org.au to chat online or email, 7 days a week, 8am-midnight (AEST/AEDT).
• Eating Disorders Victoria Helpline on 1300 550 23
• For urgent support call Lifeline 13 11 14

References

[1] Deloitte Access Economics, Paying the Price, 2024, https://butterfly.org.au/who-we-are/research-policy-publications/payingtheprice2024/

[2] Butterfly Foundation, Community Insights Report, 2024, https://butterfly.org.au/who-we-are/research-policy-publications/communityinsights2024/

[3] NEDC, Early intervention, no date. https://nedc.com.au/eating-disorders/early-intervention#:~:text=Early%20intervention%20can%20reduce%20the,relapse%20or%20recurrence%20of%20illness.

[4] Butterfly Foundation, Community Insights Report, 2024,  https://butterfly.org.au/who-we-are/research-policy-publications/communityinsights2024/