AED Advocacy

The Academy for Eating Disorders is an international transdisciplinary professional organization that promotes excellence in research, treatment and prevention of eating disorders. Together, the AED community advocates for the field of eating disorders on behalf of patients, the public and professionals.

Position Statements

AED releases statements on issues related to eating disorders on a periodic basis. Recent Academy position papers include:

AED Statement on Body Shaming and Weight Prejudice in Public Endeavors to Reduce Obesity (January 30, 2012)
AED Position Paper: The Role of the Family in Eating Disorders (Posted September 15, 2009)
AED Position Paper: Eating Disorders are Serious Mental Illnesses (Posted March 25, 2009)
AED Guidelines for Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs (Posted Feb. 26, 2009)

Advocacy Efforts

AED Issues Letter to Editor of Bicycling Magazine
Read the letter to the editor responding to Bicycling Magazine's article “Fat to Fab,” where 10 well-known elite cyclists report on their weight loss practices.

AED Responds to Michelle Obama
Read the letter to the First Lady from AED and other key eating disorders organizations.

AED Joins Other Eating Disorder Organizations to Urge Focus on Health and Lifestyle Rather Than Weight
Read the new press release, resulting from an unprecedented show of concern.

AED Issues Guidelines for Childhood Obesity Programs
Read the guidelines, which are meant to ensure that community- and school-based efforts are carried out with equal concern for children's physical, social and emotional health.

AED Raises Awareness About Sports and Body Image
In light of the 29th Olympiad, AED is speaking out on both the positive impact that sports can have on self-esteem and body esteem of participants, and some of the risks associated with less supportive aspects of athletics. Read more…

AED Opposes Miss Bimbo Web Site
The Academy for Eating Disorders declares its opposition to the "Miss Bimbo" Web site and Internet game. This site, aimed at girls aged 9 to 16, hosts an Internet game that encourages preadolescent and adolescent girls to embrace plastic surgery, extreme dieting, and the use of diet pills in the search for the perfect figure. Read more...

Miss America Speaks Out on Eating Disorders
The Academy for Eating Disorders is grateful to have the voice of Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund, raising awareness of eating disorders and providing leadership to young women. Learn more…

AED Applauds State of New York
The Academy for Eating Disorders applauds the State of New York for its leadership in establishing the Child Performer Advisory Board to Prevent Eating Disorders. This Advisory Board will develop guidelines for the employment of child models and performers and educational programs to help treat and prevent eating disorders.

AED Presents Guidelines for the Fashion Industry
The Academy for Eating Disorders has called for industry and government support of a ban of extremely underweight models. Read more. Available in English, Dutch, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and French.

World Wide Charter on Eating Disorders

Drawn from the responses of 1,730 people with or recovered from eating disorders, family members, professionals, and other stakeholders from 46 countries to a Web-based survey developed by the World Summit Task Force, the Charter defines the rights and expectations that people with eating disorders and their families can seek from those responsible for health policies and practices worldwide. The goal is to form a united coalition that can persuade policy makers around the globe to commit to the actions set forth in the Charter.

AED members are encouraged to adopt the Charter in their organizations and in their communities and to use the Charter as a vehicle for working with local governments and policy makers to improve the availability and the quality of eating disorder treatment and services in their regions. Read the Charter now, available in English, Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, Japanese, Spanish and Portugese.