Tyler, TX — (East Texas Events at bottom of story)

It's a the '26th Annual National Eating Disorder Awareness Week'.

Reports say it's the largest education and outreach effort on eating disorders in the country.

KETK spoke to Sara Upson, Licensed Dietitian, at My Signature Nutrition in Tyler, Upson tells KETK, "America values thinness over health and that striving for thinness puts people at risk."

And more than 24 million Americans are affected by eating disorders, 10 million women and 1 million men suffer from anorexia and bulimia.

"Here's the scary part, one 10-20 percent of those individuals get help and we know with treatment most individuals with a eating-disorder can reach full recovery and have a happy healthy life."

In East Texas there is awareness for this deadly disease.

Recognizing an eating disorder is hard form many.

Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating are not highly advertised nor  talked about frequently.

Upson helps East Texans everyday and tells KETK, an eat disorder is a mental illness and awareness is needed in East Texas.

Upson offers a support group every Thursday.

"A group of women who are actively seeking eating-disorder recovery and the provide support to one another to let them know they are not alone," says Sara Upson.

KETK spoke to a Family Nurse Practitioner, Kim Reeves, at Short Family Medical Group in Tyler, "It's much needed in East Texas because there are eating disorders and they're highly prevalent and not many people know about them."

Sara Upson released important information on Eating Disorders to KETK.

10 Signs of an Eating Disorder:

1.) Drastic weigh loss.

2.) Preoccupation with counting calories.

3.) The need to weigh yourself several times a day.

4.) Excessive exercise

5.) Binge eating or purging

6.) Food rituals, like taking tiny bites, skipping food groups or re-arranging food on the plate.

7.) Avoiding meals or only wanting to eat alone.

8.) Smoking to curb appetite.

9.) Persistent view of yourself as fat that worsens despite weight loss.

Awareness Week:

Sara Upson, at My Signature Nutrition, Tyler.

Speaker Sara Upson, M.Ed, RD, LD, speaking at the Parent Services Center, Understanding Eating Disorders: Prevention & Treatment.

Thursday February 28, 6:00-7:30 p.m.., 4411 Old Bullard Road Suite 602, Tyler, TX.

Even is free for residents of Smith County, must register online parentservicescenter.org.

Thursday: UT Tyler will also host an event on eating disorders.