February is a month synonymous with love — flowers, chocolates, and heartfelt cards. But for the millions of people living with an eating disorder, and for the partners, family members, and friends who love them, the season can stir up a very different set of emotions. As we mark Eating Disorder Awareness Week, we want to take a moment to shine a light on what eating disorders really are, how they affect our closest relationships, and — most importantly — how recovery and reconnection are possible.

What Is Eating Disorder Awareness Week?

Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW) is an annual, international campaign held each February to broaden public understanding of eating disorders, challenge stigma, and encourage those who are struggling to seek help. Eating disorders are serious, complex mental health conditions with significant physical consequences. They are not choices, phases, or lifestyle preferences — they are illnesses that deserve compassionate, evidence-based care.

At Rooted Path Nutrition and Eating Disorders, our mission every day — and especially during Awareness Week — is to make sure that anyone who is struggling knows: you are not alone, and help is available.

Eating Disorders: More Common Than You Think

Eating disorders affect people of every age, gender, body size, cultural background, and socioeconomic status. Some of the most common types include:

• Anorexia Nervosa — characterised by restricted food intake, an intense fear of weight gain, and a distorted body image.
• Bulimia Nervosa — cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours such as purging, excessive exercise, or fasting.
• Binge Eating Disorder (BED) — recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food, often rapidly and to the point of discomfort, accompanied by feelings of shame or loss of control.
• ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) — extreme selective eating or avoidance of food not related to body image concerns.
• Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFED) — a wide range of disordered eating patterns that cause significant distress but do not fit neatly into the above categories.

No eating disorder is “less serious” than another. All of them can have life-altering — and in some cases life-threatening — consequences without proper support.

When Eating Disorders Enter a Relationship

With Valentine’s Day fresh in mind, it feels especially timely to talk about the profound impact eating disorders can have on intimate relationships and family bonds. The effects ripple outward — touching not just the person living with the disorder but everyone who loves them.

For the Person with an Eating Disorder

Eating disorders thrive in secrecy and shame. This can make it incredibly difficult to be open with a partner or loved one. Mealtimes that should be opportunities for connection — a romantic dinner, a family gathering — can become sources of extreme anxiety. Intimacy and body image are deeply intertwined, and the harsh self-criticism that often accompanies an eating disorder can create emotional distance, even from those who want nothing more than to be close.

For Partners and Loved Ones

Loving someone with an eating disorder can feel like walking on eggshells. You may feel helpless watching them struggle, unsure what to say or do without making things worse. Well-meaning comments about food or appearance can land badly, while silence can feel like indifference. Many partners and family members experience their own anxiety, grief, or burnout — and that is valid and real.

Common Relational Challenges

• Secrecy and dishonesty around food, exercise, or behaviours — which can erode trust over time.
• Avoidance of social situations involving food, leading to isolation for both people in the relationship.
• Emotional withdrawal as the eating disorder occupies more and more mental space.
• Conflict around mealtimes, which are often central to how we celebrate and bond with those we love.
• Caregiver fatigue in partners or parents who take on a supportive role without adequate support themselves.

How to Support a Loved One (Without Losing Yourself)

If someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, here are some compassionate, evidence-informed ways to show up for them:

• Lead with curiosity, not concern about food. Ask how they are feeling, not what they ate. Focus on their emotional experience rather than their plate.
• Avoid commenting on bodies — anyone’s. Comments about weight or appearance, even positive ones, can be triggering.
• Educate yourself. Understanding what your loved one is going through can reduce frustration and increase empathy. Resources like Beat Eating Disorders and NEDA offer excellent guidance for family and friends.
• Seek your own support. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Therapists who specialise in family support, and peer support groups for carers, can be invaluable.
• Gently encourage professional help. Recovery is possible — but it is rarely something anyone can navigate alone. A multidisciplinary team including a dietitian, therapist, and GP can make all the difference.

Recovery Is Possible — And So Is Reconnection

One of the most important things to know about eating disorder recovery is that it is not just about food. It is about rebuilding a relationship with yourself — your body, your emotions, and your sense of worth. And as that internal relationship heals, the external ones often do too.

At Rooted Path, we take a whole-person, non-diet approach to care. Our team understands that eating disorders are rooted in complex emotional and psychological needs, and that recovery requires more than a meal plan. It requires safety, compassion, and a therapeutic relationship built on trust.

We work not only with individuals but also with families and partners — because we know that when the people around someone in recovery understand what they’re going through, the journey becomes a little less lonely.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Whether you are seeking support for yourself or a loved one, we are here. Reach out to the Rooted Path Nutrition and Eating Disorders team to book a discovery call or initial consultation.

You deserve a life rooted in nourishment, not fear.

Rooted Path Nutrition and Eating Disorders  •  www.rootedpathnutrition.com  •  Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2026