Sparking Conversations on Eating Disorders

In a collaborative effort between Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) and Stellar International School Puteri Harbour, a compelling initiative took place on 15 March 2024. The Eating Disorder Awareness Campaign, titled Beauty Within, aimed to educate and empower teenagers, shedding light on the complexities of eating disorders and equipping them with essential coping mechanisms.

Organised by a team of students from NUMed’s Foundation in Biological and Biomedical Sciences programme, and supported by their lecturer, Ms Nurul Atiah Iylia Mohd Ariff Krishnan, as well as Mr Joshua Liong from the Business Development team at Stellar Education Group, this event sought to bridge the gap in understanding and support for mental health issues among adolescents.

The primary objective of the campaign was clear: to educate teenagers about the multifaceted nature of eating disorders and their profound impacts on both mental and physical wellbeing. The initiative aimed to foster healthy boundaries and effective stress management strategies, and by addressing these objectives, cultivate a supportive environment where adolescents can navigate challenges related to body image and mental health with confidence and resilience.

Commenting on the initiative, Foundation student Youlayna Gorayah, who chaired the event, said that months of meticulous planning preceded the event, during which the organising team immersed themselves in research and collaboration. The campaign took shape through a series of engaging activities designed to educate, inspire, and empower participants. From informative talks to interactive games, each element of the event was carefully curated to maximise impact and foster meaningful connections.

“The first step was truly educating ourselves on the topic. The more we delved into the eating disorders, the clearer our focus became. We were able to prioritise the most pivotal topics and align the interactive games to the topics.

“Throughout the experience, I acquired many skills both within the project and in the broader context. Communication was key to coordinating the tasks among the members and other participating members. I honed my collaboration skills and project management skills when ensuring all the work was completed on time and finding solutions when challenges arose,” said Youlayna.

Ms Nurul Atiah commended the students for their initiative in addressing a pertinent yet often overlooked issue. She emphasised the significance of fostering open discussions on taboo topics like eating disorders, particularly among teenagers and young adults.

“Taboo topics like this should be shared especially among significant age groups, which are teenagers and young adults. Having the opportunity to do so with students from Stellar International School was a great experience. The team shared knowledge, conducted fun and interesting games related to the eating disorders, and managed to build great rapport with the participants,” she said.

The event provided attendees with a comprehensive exploration of eating disorders like Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. Participants actively engaged in interactive sessions, such as charades and thought reframing exercises, which facilitated dynamic conversations and reinforced key concepts.

Through a combination of informative talks and engaging activities, the event successfully educated and empowered attendees to better understand and address eating disorders.

This campaign stands as a testament to the power of education and collaboration in addressing pressing societal issues. Reflecting on the initiative, Ms Nurul Atiah expressed her satisfaction with the students' dedication and the impact of their efforts.

"I am glad that our students attempted to organise this project that is able to educate the surrounding community. In addition to the shared knowledge, I believe that the organising team has gained valuable experience and built their confidence in the healthcare field. This can be the first approach for them in the medical line and expand their personality as they hone their medical abilities,” she remarked.