The Fort Worth National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) Walk will be held at 9:15 a.m. on Oct. 6 in the Campus Commons to raise money for education on eating disorders in the community.

NEDA is one of the associations affiliated with the walk and will receive part of the funds raised. It also provides funding for eating disorder research and services a national hotline for those needing help.

“We hope to promote positive body image and self-love for all women,” said Maddie Weinstock, a TCU body positivity peer educator. “The stress, social pressure and increased independence of college life creates a uniquely strong environment for eating disorders to arise.”

At least 30 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder in the U.S., according to ANAD, the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.

With eating disorders and body image issues on such a rise in the U.S., the NEDA hopes to bring awareness to the situation by holding walks so participants can donate to help educate middle school and high school students in the area.

“College can be the perfect storm for eating disorders to fully develop as transitioning into college life can present challenges and pressures that can trigger certain behaviors and accentuate any mental illness that an individual might already be prone to,” said Lauren-Ashton Moncrief, a TCU alumna the NEDA Walk planning committee chair.

The TCU Counseling and Mental Health Center is also an outlet for students who may be dealing with an eating disorder.

To register there is a $15 fee, and every student who registers will receive a t-shirt.

An earlier version of this article incorrectly reported the cost of registering for the event