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Eating Disorders Health at Every Size

Eating Disorder Organizations Supporting Diverse Bodies

As an important value in our practice is supporting diverse people with eating disorders, including those in larger bodies.  There are many US-based eating disorder organizations and nonprofits that share our mission and do good work.  Learn more about them below.

National Alliance for Eating Disorders

The National Alliance for Eating Disorders, previously known as The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness, is a leading non-profit organization that provides referrals, education, and support to individuals who experience eating disorders and their families. Johanna Kandel established the organization in October 2000 after her experience with an eating disorder.  The Alliance aims to eliminate the stigma and secrecy surrounding eating disorders; raise awareness; promote access to care; and support those who are at risk, currently experiencing, or recovering from eating disorders.

The Alliance provides a range of comprehensive services, including educational presentations and training days; therapist-led support groups—both virtual and in-person—for individuals with eating disorders and their loved ones; support and referrals via their free help-line and referral website/app; and low-cost, outpatient treatment to uninsured and underinsured adults in the South Florida community. They also host events

Multi-Service Eating Disorder Association (MEDA)

The Multi-Service Eating Disorder Association (MEDA) is the leading eating disorder nonprofit organization in New England. Since 1986 they have provided education about eating disorders and promoted access to compassionate care for individuals and families with eating disorders. They offer a variety of services to support individuals and loved ones through the various stages of their journey. MEDA was founded by Becky Manley. Becky had struggled with an eating disorder and had found support groups instrumental to her recovery. Consequently, she wanted to make them available to more people.

MEDA provides individual, family, and group therapy services directly as well as maintaining a network of treatment providers and programs to help connect clients with care. MEDA also trains professionals in the latest treatment strategies and modalities and advocates for policies that promote equitable access to care for all people with eating disorders.

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National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)

The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) is a non-profit organization that focuses on providing support, increasing awareness, advocating for change, making referrals, educating, and preventing eating disorders. It is the oldest eating disorder organization in the United States. ANAED was founded in the early 1970s by Vivian Meehan, a nurse whose daughter had an eating disorder.

The organization helps individuals who are struggling with eating disorders and offers resources for families, schools, and the eating disorder community. ANAD offers a helpline and various support services, including mentors, throughout the United States. ANAD partners with many providers and other groups to provide support groups throughout the country.

Project HEAL

Two teens, Liana Rosenman and Kristina Saffran, founded Project HEAL in 2008 when they were 15 years old. This followed their own experiences in treatment for an eating disorder when they recognized their privilege in accessing treatment. From its beginning, Project HEAL’s primary focus has been to raise funds for those with eating disorders who cannot afford treatment.

Project HEAL has an equity focus that aims to distribute resources that address inherent inequity in our existing systems. It aligns with body acceptance and body liberation movements and addresses structural issues that perpetuate eating disorders.

FEDUP Collective

FEDUP Collective is a group of trans+, intersex, and gender-diverse individuals who recognize that eating disorders affecting marginalized communities are social justice issues. Their goal is to expose, disrupt, and counteract the disproportionately high occurrence of eating disorders among trans and gender-diverse people. They aim to accomplish this through radical community healing, reforming recovery institutions, conducting research, empowering individuals, and promoting education. FEDUP was founded in 2014 as part of senior thesis research by Dagan VanDemark.

FEDUP offers support groups for marginalized people with eating disorders and training for professionals. In addition, they have a provider directory.

Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders (FEAST)

Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders (F.E.A.S.T) is an international organization that supports parents and loved ones of those with eating disorders. The organization believes that empowering caregivers is crucial to the recovery process. F.E.A.S.T. assists families by offering information and mutual support. It also promotes research, education, and evidence-based treatments to reduce the suffering associated with eating disorders.

To support parents of eating disorder patients worldwide, F.E.A.S.T. has created the online support forum, Around The Dinner Table. This forum is moderated around the clock. Additionally, F.E.A.S.T. provides a wealth of resources through its website. Such resources include the Family Guide series, a webinar series, a blog, and The First 30 Days.

Nalgona Positivity Pride (NPP)

Nalgona Positivity Pride (NPP), founded by Gloria Lucas, supports BIPOC individuals with eating disorders. NPP provides education, consultation for eating disorder providers, a harm reduction course, and eating disorder support groups.

Body Reborn

Body Reborn provides a safe space for people of color with disordered eating. They provide a free 8-week program for people of color. They also hold an annual conference that centers the experiences of people usually excluded from eating disorder care.

Get Eating Disorder Help in California Now

The organizations listed above provide a wealth of information and support services to support you or a loved one with an eating disorder. At Eating Disorder Therapy LA in Los Angeles, we can help. We offer individual, family, and group therapy for people in California. Contact us now to learn more and get started with recovery.

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