Eating Disorders Awareness Week Events
Eating disorders are potentially life threatening illnesses that affect a growing number of children, adolescents, and their families. National Eating Disorders Awareness (NEDA) Week is February 22 to 28.
This year, the National Eating Disorders Association is focusing on the importance of early signs and symptoms of eating disorders and why early intervention is so critical.
UR Medicine faculty and staff, as well as representatives from organizations like Eating Disorders Recovery Center of Western New York and The Healing Connection (located in Fairport), will be hosting several events throughout the next week to bring attention to the cause.
Friday, Feb. 20, Noon to 1:15 p.m., University of Rochester School of Nursing auditorium (1W304): Kathy Kater presentation on "Caring for- Instead of Comparing- Our Bodies: Promoting Health and Well-Being Instead of Size." Kater will be emphasizing the importance of reducing weight stigma which actually contributes to overweight, disordered eating and unhealthy weight control practices in youth. This event is cosponsored by the Western New York Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders (WNYCCCED) and the School of Nursing.
Saturday, Feb. 21, 2 to 5 p.m., Towpath Cafe, 6 N. Main Street, Fairport: The annual NEDA Week coffee house event features the musical, artistic and literary talents of individuals in recovery including an open mic time to share messages of hope for recovery. Suggested donation of $10. There will also be raffle items and all proceeds will go toward eating disorder prevention, education, treatment and/or research. This event is cosponsored by the Eating Disorders Recovery Center of Western New York and The Healing Connection.
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Twitter chat featuring experts Richard Kriepe, founding director of Golisano Children's Hospital's Child and Adolescent Eating Disorder Program and medical director of the WNYCCCED, and Mary Tantillo, professor of clinical nursing at the School of Nursing, founder of the Healing Connection, and director of the WNYCCCED. Follow @UR_Med and join the chat using the 
hashtag #LoveURbody for a discussion around early signs and symptoms of eating disorders and why early intervention matters.
Eating disorders is one of the seven priority programs of Golisano Children's Hospital's current campaign. With your help, we will train the next generation of healthcare professionals to sustain and enhance services that recognize, prevent and treat eating disorders.
Find out more about how you can help make a difference.