Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2024, February 1-7

 

Based on Canadian available data, it is estimated that at least 1 million Canadians struggle with eating disorders, however global data would suggest the number is closer to 2.7 million. Eating disorders affect individuals of all genders, ages, races, ethnic identities, sexual orientations, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds. These disorders are serious, biologically influenced illnesses, and not personal choices. Recovery is possible.  Every year, the first week of February is dedicated to Eating Disorder Awareness Week, as a time to educate the public on the impact that eating disorders have on people and the supports available to them.

 


According to Canadian statistics, women with Type 1 diabetes have twice the risk of being affected by an eating disorder than women without diabetes. Both male and female adolescents with Type 1 diabetes have a higher incidence of eating disorders than their peers without diabetes.

 

This year’s focus is on raising awareness, collecting more accurate data, and challenging the barriers to care that disproportionately affect underserved communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced extraordinary challenges for people with Eating Disorders and those who provide support to them whether family members or healthcare providers. Visit the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (www.nedic.ca) at the website below for support and information on how you can get informed and take action to support those living with Eating Disorders.


There is a huge spectrum of disordered eating but the term ‘Eating Disorder’ refers to a number of specific diagnosed illnesses:

  • Anorexia (AN)
  • Bulimia (BN)
  • Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
  • Eating Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (ED-NOS)
  • Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)


Specific to Type 1 Diabetes, there are a couple terms:

  • Diabulimia
  • Eating Disorder & T1 Diabetes (ED-DMT 1)
     

Diabulimia refers to people skipping or altering their insulin doses in order to control their weight. By not taking insulin, their bodies cannot use the fuel in the food they have eaten, putting them into ‘starvation’ mode. This results in high blood sugars, weight loss and potentially serious consequences of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and death.  If left untreated, if can significantly increase the risk of long term complications of diabetes.

 

ED-DMT 1 is a more inclusive term for any eating disorder in a person with type 1 diabetes, including diabulimia.

 


Warning Signs of an Eating Disorder and Type 1 Diabetes can include:

 

  • Changes in eating behaviours
  • Eating in secret and/or secrecy around diabetes management
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Unexplained high blood sugars
  • Strict calorie counting
  • Discarding food
  • Lack of blood glucose testing
  • Frequent weighing
  • Recurrent DKA
  • Excessive/compulsive exercise 
     

 

Type 2 Diabetes 

 

There is an elevated prevalence of eating disorders, especially binge eating disorder (BED), in people with type 2 diabetes. Research suggest up to 25% of people living with type 2 diabetes struggle with some form of binge eating behaviours and that 1 in 3 people who struggle with BED will develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetime. If you feel like you, or someone you care about exhibits any of the following symptoms on a frequent basis, encourage them to seek support and talk to a health care professional for support:

  • Eating more rapidly than normal, or eating with a lack of control
  • Eating until you feel uncomfortably full
  • Eating large amounts of food when you don’t feel hungry
  • Eating alone because you are embarrassed about how much you eat
  • Feeling distressed/disgusted/depressed/guilty after over-eating

 

Having an eating disorder is not your fault - they are complex and driven by many factors. Treatment requires the expertise of both the diabetes team and additional team members skilled in managing eating disorders. If you have concerns, please discuss them with a member of your health care team.
 
 

Services Available in Waterloo Wellington

 

Canadian Mental Health Association, Waterloo-Wellington-Dufferin Regional Eating Disorders Service (CMHA-WWD)

 

CMHA-WWD is a community-based team that includes social workers, dietitians, nurse practitioners, therapists, and a consulting psychiatrist.  They help individuals and families dealing with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. They provide treatment for children, youth and adults in Waterloo Region and Wellington County.
   

To contact them or to make a referral:

 

Call HERE24SEVEN at 1-844-437-3247

 

Service Locations:

  • Fergus: 234 St. Patrick Street East
  • Mount Forest: 392 Main Strett North
  • Kitchener: 67 King Street East 
  • Guelph: 80 Waterloo Avenue (main office) or 485 Silvercreek Parkway North -Suite 1
  • Cambridge: 9 Wellington Street - Suite 3
  • Waterloo: 1 Blue Springs Drive - Suite 100

If you have other questions, the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) Helpline may be able to provide you with answers or direct you appropriately. They can be reached at 1-866-633-4220.

 

Diabulimia helpline:  www.diabulimiahelpline.org

 

Check out these other links you might find helpful and informative: