NDP MPP Jill Andrew’s Eating Disorders Awareness Week bill passes second reading

NDP MPP Jill Andrew (Toronto-St. Paul)’s bill to proclaim the first week of February as Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) in Ontario passed second reading with unanimous consent in the Ontario legislature today.

“At this time of year, many are subjected to body shaming. From articles on how to ‘beat’ holiday weight gain to invasive questions from relatives, there’s no shortage of harmful messaging that can take a toll on one’s mental health, self-esteem and relationship to their body,” Andrew said today.

“Awareness campaigns typically don’t depict the diversity of people who experience eating disorders, and the disparities in how different people with Eating Disorders (EDs) are treated.

I believe EDAW would bring attention to the socio-cultural determinants of eating disorders, like food and income security, access to housing, health care and mental health supports, plus systemic violence like sexism, racism and homophobia. EDAW would promote awareness of peoples’ diverse experiences of eating disorders, like those experienced by Indigenous, Black and racialized women and girls, queer people, transgender people, people with disabilities and fat people.

EDAW would also promote awareness of culturally relevant and responsive resources for the treatment and prevention of EDs.”