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
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 now.
- 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
Media Contact: Katia Pellicciotta 0490 660 259 or communications@EatingDisorders.org.au
Talent available for interview: EDV CEO Belinda Caldwell; people with lived experience upon request
About Eating Disorders Victoria
Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV) is the state’s leading community health provider of free eating disorder care. We work for empowered and safe relationships with food, eating, body and movement for everyone.