MEDIA RELEASE
APRIL 2, 2025

A groundbreaking new Australian program to prevent the development of destructive eating disorders will target parents and carers on the front line to improve early identification of worrying behaviours. 

The Nourish, Nurture, Notice program, a collaborative project between Eating Disorder Families Australia (EDFA) and The Embrace Collective, will provide a unique education experience for parents and carers with an aim to reduce the increasingly high rates of disordered eating amongst children and adolescents. 

With 1.1 million Australians currently living with an eating disorder, an increase of 21% since 2012, Nourish, Nurture, Notice will offer vital support to enable parents and carers to spot the warning signs of disordered eating before a destructive eating disorder can take hold. 

Funded by the Queensland Government until June 2027 and rolling out nationally, EDFA Executive Director Jane Rowan believes the program can make a positive difference for parents and carers of young Australians.   

“Protecting young Australians and providing support for their families from the devastating impact of eating disorders is the driver behind the new Nourish, Nurture, Notice program,” Ms Rowan said.   

“Research has shown that one in five adolescent boys and one in three adolescent girls are currently experiencing disordered eating with many experts believing these numbers are actually much higher. The Nourish, Nurture, Notice Masterclass is essential viewing for all parents of young Australians.”  

Parents and carers involved in the project have wholeheartedly backed this view.  

“If I had known what an eating disorder was, I would have taken my daughter to the doctor a lot sooner than what I did. I had no idea what it was,” said Brisbane eating disorder carer Kelley Robertson, whose daughter has lived with Anorexia Nervosa.  

The Embrace Collective Executive Director Dr Zali Yager said the development of Nourish, Nurture, Notice was evidence of the power of collaboration in the eating disorders sector. 

“There are gaps in resources available to parents to help them understand if the changes in their tweens’ and teens’ eating behaviour are problematic or not. This is an essential and unique program that can help parents get the help their kids’ need earlier, preventing much of the ongoing negative psychological and physical health and wellbeing impact of eating disorders and ongoing mental health challenges,” Dr Yager said.  

“The Embrace Collective and EDFA have harnessed their combined knowledge to produce a prevention program that will give parents and carers the tools to spot the early warning signs to reduce the incidence of eating disorders.”  

The Nourish, Nurture, Notice program will comprise a 30-minute online Masterclass and access to a subsequent 90-minute Drop-In Session with content delivered by Paediatric Dietitian, Dr Lyza Norton, and lived experience carers of those with an eating disorder. Dr Norton holds over 20 years of experience in identifying and treating disordered eating and eating disorders.   

About eating disorders and EDFA 

In 2023, 4.45% of Australians had an eating disorder diagnosis, equating to 1.1 million Australians, meaning at least 4.4 million Australians are impacted by an eating disorder. The Paying the Price Report also found 1.7 million people will be diagnosed with an eating disorder in their lifetime. Most diagnoses occur during adolescence, with highest rates in those aged 15-19. Women are disproportionally affected, accounting for two-thirds of eating disorder diagnoses.  

There are extensive social and economic costs associated with eating disorders. In 2023, the total economic and social cost of eating disorders in Australia was $67 billion, up 36% since 2012, and equivalent to $60,654 per person with an eating disorder. 

Families and carers of those living with an eating disorder often experience heightened levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and social isolation. In a recent survey of carers conducted by EDFA, 82.4% of responding carers said their wellbeing decreased as a result of caring for their loved one. 

 EDFA is the only national organisation focussed solely on providing support, education, advocacy and counselling services to carers and families of those living with an eating disorder. Established in 2016, EDFA currently has more than 3,000 members and has helped hundreds of carers and families over the years.   

Links: 
The Nourish Nurture Notice program masterclass is available here https://edfa.org.au/nourish-nurture-notice/  

If you have found any of this content challenging or upsetting, please refer to EDFA’s Fill The Gap counselling service https://edfa.org.au/fill-the-gap/ 
 
EDFA’s website has a wealth of information on eating disorders www.edfa.org.au  

An introductory video of the Masterclass https://vimeo.com/1070716409 

MEDIA CONTACTS: 
EDFA Executive Director Jane Rowan and Dr Lyza Norton are available for interview at Queensland Parliament on April 2. Please contact Jaimie Robertson at EDFA on jaimie.robertson@edfa.org.au or 0468 525 680