National Eating Disorders Association

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is dedicated to preventing eating disorders, expanding public understanding of eating disorders, and promoting access to quality treatment for those affected. It is the largest not-for-profit organization in the United States devoted to eating disorders and serves individuals and their families affected by anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder as well as individuals with weight and body image issues. NEDA was formed in 2001 through the merger of Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention (EDAP) and the American Anorexia Bulimia Association (AABA). NEDA headquarters are in Seattle, Washington, and the organization also has an office in New York.

The Media Watchdog Program of NEDA includes over 1,000 volunteers who monitor media, including TV, radio, and magazines, for positive and negative body images presented in advertising. The program includes guidelines, available through the NEDA Web site, for critically evaluating the media and sending reports of positive or negative ads to NEDA headquarters. NEDA staff reviews the submissions and writes letters of praise and/or protest to the advertisers; in the case of letters of protest, NEDA continues corresponding with the advertisers until they change their advertising strategies and messages. NEDA considers positive ads to be those that display a variety of natural body shapes and sizes, attribute positive characteristics to both heavy and thin people, incorporate images of people eating balanced meals, and include women as more than objects of beauty. They consider ads to be negative if they include excessively thin models or models with computer-enhanced features, portray large people negatively, and glamorize people on diets or present people relying on food as a response to stress, frustration, or loneliness.

The Parent and Family Network (PFN) established by NEDA is a free resource offering support to parents and family members of people with eating disorders; PFN also helps affected families connect with each other and with advocacy opportunities. Resources for family members are also available through the NEDA Web page, including information about eating disorders, available treatments, insurance benefits, online information and support services, and links to advocacy opportunities.

The States for Treatment Access and Research (STAR) program of NEDA advocates for improved insurance coverage for the treatment of eating disorders. In addition, NEDA is a founding member of the Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy, and Action, based in Washington, D.C., whose goals include increasing funding for research and education, improving access to treatment for eating disorders, and promoting national awareness of eating disorders as a public health problem.

A list of healthcare providers who treat eating disorders is available through the NEDA Web site and may be searched by state; types of providers listed include physicians, nutritionists, counselors, and inpatient and outpatient facilities. The NEDA Web site also includes lists of support groups for people with eating disorders, and research studies currently recruiting participants. In addition, NEDA maintains a help line.