Eating Disorders Association
Encyclopedia
The Eating Disorders Association, known as beat since February 2007, is the major British
medical charity
in the area of eating disorder
s. It is dedicated to helping people with anorexia nervosa
, bulimia
, binge eating disorder
and other eating disorders, and providing information to the public about these conditions.
The charity was founded in 1989 from the amalgamation of the existing UK charities, Anorexic Aid and Anorexic Family Aid. The Society for the Advancement of Research into Anorexia merged with the Eating Disorders Association in 1992.
s, one for adults and one for people under 25. The charity's website includes messageboards, a young persons section and a HelpFinder directory. It received 3.3 million hits in March 2007, after the charity's relaunch under the name "beat". The charity also runs conferences, awards and training events. It is involved in lobbying the UK government on issues relating to eating disorders and raising the profile of eating disorders in the media.
2007. It also received the national Wellbeing Award of the Children and Young People's Services Awards 2007 for its work in developing a forum for young people, and in particular for the charity's active involvement of young people in informing its work, via the forum.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
medical charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
in the area of eating disorder
Eating disorder
Eating disorders refer to a group of conditions defined by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake to the detriment of an individual's physical and mental health. Bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are the most common specific...
s. It is dedicated to helping people with anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by refusal to maintain a healthy body weight and an obsessive fear of gaining weight. Although commonly called "anorexia", that term on its own denotes any symptomatic loss of appetite and is not strictly accurate...
, bulimia
Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating and purging or consuming a large amount of food in a short amount of time, followed by an attempt to rid oneself of the food consumed, usually by purging and/or by laxative, diuretics or excessive exercise. Bulimia nervosa is...
, binge eating disorder
Binge eating disorder
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States affecting 3.5% of females and 2% of males and is prevalent in up to 30% of those seeking weight loss treatment...
and other eating disorders, and providing information to the public about these conditions.
The charity was founded in 1989 from the amalgamation of the existing UK charities, Anorexic Aid and Anorexic Family Aid. The Society for the Advancement of Research into Anorexia merged with the Eating Disorders Association in 1992.
Activities
The charity runs two national helplineHelpline
A helpline was originally a telephone service which offers help to those who call. Many helpline services now offer more than telephone support - offering access to information, advice or customer service via telephone, email, web or SMS....
s, one for adults and one for people under 25. The charity's website includes messageboards, a young persons section and a HelpFinder directory. It received 3.3 million hits in March 2007, after the charity's relaunch under the name "beat". The charity also runs conferences, awards and training events. It is involved in lobbying the UK government on issues relating to eating disorders and raising the profile of eating disorders in the media.
Awards
The charity was a runner up in the healthcare and medical research section of the UK Charity AwardsUK Charity Awards
The UK Charity Awards are annual awards for outstanding achievements within the UK not-for-profit sector. Categories reflect the management of charities and not-for-profits, and awards are made to individuals, departments and whole organizations....
2007. It also received the national Wellbeing Award of the Children and Young People's Services Awards 2007 for its work in developing a forum for young people, and in particular for the charity's active involvement of young people in informing its work, via the forum.