Eating Disorders Alliance is ‘unpacking the why’ this Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness Week
This year’s BIEDAW theme ‘Unpacking the why: what causes eating disorders?’ explores the diverse risk factors that contribute to the development of eating disorders, building empathy for the many people whose experiences of an eating disorder may lead them to feel ‘invisible’ behind common stereotypes, and helping to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking.
This Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness Week (BIEDAW), 1-7 September 2025, Australia’s leading eating disorder organisations are breaking the stereotype that eating disorders are always caused by body dissatisfaction, to provide more empathetic support for the 1.1 million people in Australia affected.
The number of people impacted by eating disorders has increased by 21% since 2012, prevalence is increasing, and the age of onset is dropping; and yet less than a quarter of people have referred someone they’re concerned about to support services.
Members of the Eating Disorder Alliance (EDA) are providing education and resources to promote better understanding of the causes of eating disorders, and encouraging help-seeking without shame.
While body image dissatisfaction is a significant cause for many, these illnesses can also develop due to a range of other factors, including, but not limited to, trauma, sensory sensitivities, genetics, personality traits, culture, family history, and co-occurring health conditions such as diabetes, endometriosis and others.
Dulgubarra-Yidinji and Indonesian writer Skye Cusack from Rubibi/Broome developed an eating disorder as a result of childhood trauma, and said their ability to seek help was impacted by not looking like the ‘stereotypical’ depiction of someone with an eating disorder.
“I loved growing up in a larger body. When I looked at myself in the mirror I saw the features of my family and I loved us all. It wasn’t until later in life at 17 that I began to feel shame about my body, and this shame was because of so many reasons – trauma, developing an eating disorder, and messaging from online platforms,” Skye explained.
“It took me several years to get proper help because of how I looked. I had to find the strength inside me to advocate for myself when I felt the weakest and most lost I’ve ever felt.”
Lived experience advocate Tim Conway also felt the pressure of being a man with an eating disorder, and his experience was also complicated by other mental health issues including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
“When I was receiving eating disorder treatment, I was often the only man in the room,” Tim explained. “Not only did this leave me feeling isolated and alone, but my experience was made more complicated by OCD influencing the development of my eating disorder. It’s definitely something that not a lot of people realise is connected”.
Men with OCD are 37 times more likely to develop Anorexia Nervosa than the general population. [1]
At least half, and possibly as many as 97% of people diagnosed with an eating disorder, also receive a diagnosis for at least one more psychiatric disorder, with the most common being depression, anxiety, PTSD and trauma, substance use disorders, personality disorders and suicidal ideation[2].
Butterfly CEO Dr Jim Hungerford said spreading awareness about how eating disorders can develop and advocating for improvements to the system of care is a matter for urgent attention.
“Every year, approximately more than 120,000 people develop an eating disorder and sadly, 1200 people lose their lives to these insidious illnesses. We urgently need to spread awareness about the factors that can contribute to eating disorder development, to stop this crisis from escalating and ensure more people can access the person-centred care they need,” he said.
Eating Disorders Victoria CEO Belinda Caldwell echoed the importance of spreading awareness and meeting people where they are at in their journey.
“There are a lot of unhelpful stereotypes about eating disorders out there that isolate people. It should never be on the person who is unwell to have to explain what they’re going through; the more we understand about how eating disorders really develop, the better we can provide support.”
Eating Disorders Queensland (EDQ) CEO Belinda Chelius also said that: ”EDQ is a strong advocate for eradicating weight stigma and diet culture, as we know these are huge driving forces for the development of an eating disorder. BIEDAW is the perfect time to highlight some of the contributing factors and to challenge societal norms that significantly increase this risk.”
Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) CEO Jade Gooding emphasised the importance of healthcare professionals ‘unpacking the why’ to better support their clients.
“Finding a health professional who truly understands eating disorders can make all the difference to recovery. Too often, the early signs of an eating disorder go unnoticed or misunderstood, but early support from the right professional can change everything. That’s why access to safe, effective, evidence-based care from Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinicians is so vital,” she said.
Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) Executive Director Jane Rowan said families and carers can also play a powerful role in supporting their loved ones. “With less than a quarter of people referring someone they’re concerned about to support services, families and carers can directly change this by increasing their understanding of eating disorders and realising that these illnesses do not discriminate – anyone of any age, gender, weight, size, ethnicity and socioeconomic background can be affected.”
Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness Week (BIEDAW) is a national campaign proudly led by the Eating Disorder Alliance – Australia’s leading eating disorder organisations, including Butterfly Foundation, Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED), Eating Disorders Victoria, Eating Disorders Queensland, and Eating Disorders Families Australia.
Experts from each organisation will be available for interviews at the ANZAED Annual Conference in Melbourne 29-30 August, with media invited to attend. Lived experience case studies also available on request.
To find out more about BIEDAW, visit www.butterfly.org.au/biedaw
-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 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
- Find safe, effective, evidence-based care from Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinicians: connected.anzaed.org.au
[1] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wps.20251
[2] https://nedc.com.au/eating-disorders/types/co-occurring-conditions
