Contributed by: Elsie Yuen, EDRS Intern
Eating disorders are dangerous because they are often invisible.
Oftentimes, we associate eating disorders with low body weights and thinness. But in reality, a narrow focus on body size overlooks the suffering that eating disorders cause internally.
Eating disorders are about so much more than your weight.
They are the thoughts that circle in your head, telling you to restrict or binge. They are the fear that makes you pull away from potlucks, picnics, or parties. They are the voice in the back of your mind, constantly creating stricter and stricter rules surrounding food.
And they can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender, body size, socioeconomic status, or age. The narrative of a thin, young white woman has long been the prevailing image associated with eating disorders. However, eating disorders affect all demographics: up to 30 million Americans experience an eating disorder, and rates of disordered eating are often as high or higher in BIPOC or diverse populations 1. Nevertheless, this stereotype portrayed in the media and perpetuated by our society creates a “standard” for individuals with eating disorders, dissuading those suffering from reaching out for help or even acknowledging their condition.
You do not have to be thin to have an eating disorder. In fact, fewer than 6% of people with eating disorders are medically underweight 2. What we now refer to as “Atypical Anorexia Nervosa” (AAN) can feature the same psychological distress and physical restriction as typical anorexia, but the affected individual often sits at a normal or higher weight. However, those with higher body weights are half as likely to receive a diagnosis compared to those of “normal” weight, despite exhibiting equally severe symptoms.
This pattern of underdiagnosis is caused by a variety of reasons, including an over-reliance on weight as a determinant of an eating disorder. Body mass index (BMI) and weight are just two of so many factors that constitute an eating disorder. Yet, they are often evaluated first and valued above the other aspects of eating disorders, such as the components of emotional and mental health. For instance, Veillette, Serrano, & Brochu (2018) found that mental health trainees were significantly more likely to identify anorexia or AAN in a case study with an underweight patient than to identify AAN in identical patients with higher BMIs 3. As a result, many individuals with “atypical” symptoms of eating disorders often go undiagnosed until their conditions are severely advanced.
Additionally, the glorification of weight loss may actually encourage or perpetuate restrictive eating disorders in individuals with higher body weights. Instead of the weight loss being recognized for what it is — a dangerous dip in a growth curve or a decline from a body’s healthy set weight — it may be praised by others through comments on appearance or health. It might even be commended by medical professionals who perceive the weight loss as “healthy.” Receiving positive feedback from others concerning weight loss can encourage disordered eating behaviors. It may also complicate the recovery process, as the individual may believe that they look or feel better at a lower, less healthy weight based on others’ comments.
All of these factors place massive roadblocks on the path to recovery for those who don’t fit into the stereotype of thinness associated with restrictive eating disorders. A constant dismissal of disordered eating behaviors, justified by the singular focus on body weight, invalidates the experience of those suffering. Some may delay seeking help and inevitably become sicker before they’re taken seriously. At some point, they may even question whether or not they “deserve” treatment.
The truth is that illness is not defined by what others see. The invisible psychological and emotional aspects of eating disorders can be just as cruel as the physical ones. Everyone is deserving of the opportunity to recover and be supported through the entire process, no matter your weight, body size, race, gender, or age. You are never “not sick enough” to need help.
If you’re worried about yourself or someone you care about, trust those concerns and consider reaching out for support. Recovery is always possible, and reaching out early can make a difference.
Resources
- National Alliance for Eating Disorders Helpline: 866-662-1235, Monday-Friday, 9am-7pm ET
- ANAD Helpline (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders): 888-375-7767, Monday-Friday, 10am-10pm ET
- Crisis Text Line: Text “NEDA” to 741741 for 24/7 crisis support through an online chat
- National Alliance for Eating Disorders (allianceforeatingdisorders.com): has support groups (including BIPOC-specific groups), articles, and webinars
- ANAD (anad.org): has peer support groups, statistics, education pages, mentorship programs
- NEDA (nationaleatingdisorders.org): has screening tool, support groups, treatment directory
References
- Bunnell, D. (2024). Eating Disorder Statistics. National Eating Disorders Association. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics/
- Eating Disorder Statistics | ANAD – National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. (2023, November 29). ANAD – National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. https://anad.org/learning-library/eating-disorder-statistic
- Veillette, L. A. S., Serrano, J. M., & Brochu, P. M. (2018). What’s Weight Got to Do With It? Mental Health Trainees’ Perceptions of a Client With Anorexia Nervosa Symptoms. Frontiers in Psychology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02574