5 September 2022 17:11

Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness Week

This week is Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness Week (BIEDAW) and we are committed to helping to raise awareness in our community.

According to Butterfly Foundation eating disorders impact over 1 million Australians each year with only 1 in 10 Australians able to recognise the signs of an eating disorder. Butterfly Foundation 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.

During their campaign this week as part of the Eating Disorder Alliance Australia, they are encouraging people to act early – "because early intervention can have a marked difference on an eating disorder’s severity and duration."

They remind us that "from teachers, to friends, parents and healthcare professionals – everyone has a part to play in early intervention of eating disorders."

It is important that we reduce the stigma and dispel the myths around body image and disordered eating and talk openly about how to identify the signs and support those at risk, including those more broadly affected. We encourage you to explore Butterfly Foundation's website and arm yourself with knowledge, resources and tips to ensure we are all playing our part in keeping our dance community happy and healthy.

The following information can be found on the Butterfly Foundation website here.

What is early intervention?
Why is it important to know the signs and act early? - Early intervention means an individual is twice as likely to acheive recovery
How to know the signs - Recognising the physical, psychological and behavioral signs.
Identifying who is at risk
How to start the conversation - click here for some tips on conversation starters
How to find a professional to help

Who can I talk to?

If you or anyone you know is affected you can also contact the Butterfly Foundation's National Helpline for confidential and free support for eating disorders and body image concerns. Counsellors are available 7 days a week, 8am-midnight (AEST).

Call 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673), chat online or email support@butterfly.org.au

What else do we need to know?

Specific advice for dancers

Principal Dietitian, Fumi Somehara from the DDD Centre for Recovery and Shane Jeffrey , Dietitian from River Oak Health, both presented at our Shaping Bodies, Shaping Minds conference in January 2020 and have kindly shared the presentation from the conference, as well as a number of other very useful information sheets providing Nutrition advice for dancers. The following resources are available for Members to download in our Members’ Area here.

For Teachers

Enhancing performance, positive body image and lifelong health for dancers – Presented by Fumi Somehara and Shane Jeffrey – Dance Nutrition
Eating Disorders and Safe Dance – Fumi Somehara, Dietitian Presentation Slides from Ausdance NSW Safe Dance Think Tank – March 2020 –
A back pocket guide to managing exercise during treatment – Shane Jeffrey, Dietitian
A back pocket guide to developing positive food relationships – Shane Jeffrey, Dietitian

For Students

How to Build a Good Relationship with Food and Optimise Performance – Fumi Somehara, DietitianDance Nutrition Article
Myth Busting! – Fumi Somehara, Dietitian