Eating Disorder Awareness

What Are Eating Disorders?

You’ll start with an introduction to what eating disorders are and why awareness matters. This section explains the signs of eating disorders in a general, non-clinical way, as well as who may be more at risk. You’ll also explore the social and cultural factors that contribute to how we view food, health, and body image.

The Role of Media, Beauty Standards, and Body Image

Society and the media have a powerful influence on how we see ourselves. In this part of the course, you’ll learn about:

• The impact of beauty standards and diet culture.

• How body image is shaped by advertising, social media, and cultural trends.

• Why these pressures can increase the risk of disordered eating behaviours.

By raising awareness of these influences, you’ll gain a better understanding of the bigger picture around dealing with an eating disorder in today’s world.

Common Eating Disorders: An Overview

This section introduces three of the most commonly discussed eating disorders: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder. You’ll look at:

• General patterns of behaviour that are associated with each type.

• How they can affect daily life and relationships.

• The myths and stigma that surround them.

This overview helps you learn more about eating disorders online, while keeping the focus on awareness and understanding.

Recovery, Support, and Body Positivity

Recovery looks different for everyone, but awareness of support options is an important part of understanding eating disorders. In this section, you’ll explore the value of supportive environments, from friends and family to schools, workplaces, and wider communities, and how they can help create safer spaces.

You’ll also learn about the history and ethos of the body positivity movement, along with its benefits and criticisms, to gain a balanced perspective.

Finally, the course shares everyday ways to reduce stigma, encourage self-esteem and body love, and promote healthier relationships with food and body image.

Prevention and Early Awareness

The course concludes with a forward-looking approach: how to develop positive self-esteem, self-love, and confidence, especially for children and young people. By promoting healthy habits and challenging harmful stereotypes, we can reduce risks and create safer environments.

What You’ll Gain

By the end of this online eating disorder awareness course, you’ll:

• Understand what eating disorders are and the signs of eating disorders in a general awareness context.

• Learn how media, diet culture, and beauty standards can contribute to disordered eating.

• Gain insight into the stigma and misconceptions around eating disorders.

• Explore how body positivity and prevention strategies can support long-term wellbeing.

• Achieve a certification, useful for CPD or as a first step into further study.

The Eating Disorders Awareness Diploma Course is designed for anyone who wants to build a clearer understanding of eating disorders and the social and cultural factors that influence them. It’s especially suited to:

• Parents, carers, and family members who want to learn about eating disorders online to support awareness in everyday life.

• Teachers and community staff who would benefit from a certified course as part of their CPD.

• Health and wellbeing professionals seeking certification to strengthen their knowledge in a non-clinical context.

• Students interested in psychology, nutrition, and social sciences who want to study eating disorders online as a foundation for further learning.

• Anyone curious about the signs of eating disorders and the wider impact of body image, media, and culture on eating behaviours.

This is a theory-based course for educational and CPD purposes only. It does not qualify you to provide therapy, counselling, or dietary advice.