Design 21: Social Design Network

Millions of Americans are diagnosed with eating disorders annually, more than 90% of them adolescents and young women. Eating disorders are not due to a failure of will or behavior; rather, they are real, treatable medical illnesses in which certain maladaptive patterns of eating take on a life of their own.

The Academy for Eating Disorders (AED) promotes excellence in research, treatment and prevention of eating disorders worldwide. AED is an international, transdisciplinary, 501(c)3 membership organization that provides education, training and a forum for collaboration and professional dialogue between researchers, clinicians, families and patients, elected officials and others. AED’s recent initiatives include launching the AED Worldwide Charter for Action on Eating Disorders, a global patient/family bill of rights, and supporting a related bill before the U.S. Congress. Each year, the Academy holds training and sharing events for researchers, clinicians and the public in multiple locations and languages throughout the world.