Eating Disorder Awareness: Things to Consider
Understanding Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders for Eating Disorder Awareness Week
What has your experience and/or exposure been related to the subject of disordered eating? Are you a doctor, teacher, coach, trainer, parent, friend or student? Whether you have realized it or not, you have most likely interacted with someone living with an eating disorder. Maybe you have struggled with an eating disorder, past or present. Do you feel like you have the right tools or resources to support yourself or someone else? Are you looking to spread awareness and share the prevalence of eating disorders throughout your profession or community? This week marks National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, a critical time to educate ourselves and others on the realities of eating disorders. It’s an opportunity to spread awareness, share resources, and advocate for those affected by these serious mental health conditions.
This is a time to educate on the realities of eating disorders and provide support to individuals and loved ones affected by eating disorders.
Key Facts about Eating Disorders
Approximately 9% of the US population—that’s 28.8 million Americans—will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime. Research shows that eating disorders have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), their helpline experienced a 107% increase in contacts. Eating disorders are the second deadliest mental illness, following substance use disorders, with someone in the U.S. dying from a direct eating disorder-related cause every 52 minutes. Eating disorders can be fatal as they often involve significant medical complications and an increased risk of suicide.
Eating disorders do not discriminate and can affect people of all body weights, shapes, sizes, ages, genders, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Who is Affected by Eating Disorders?
Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 with anorexia have ten times the risk of dying compared to their same-aged peers.
One study reported that 35% of female and 10% of male college athletes were at risk for anorexia, and 58% of female and 38% of male college athletes were at risk for bulimia.
Males represent 25% of individuals with anorexia, and they are at a higher risk of dying, in part because they are often diagnosed later since many people assume males don’t have eating disorders.
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are significantly less likely than white people to have been asked by a doctor about eating disorder symptoms. BIPOC with eating disorders are half as likely to be diagnosed or to receive treatment.
Transgender college students are significantly more likely to report an eating disorder diagnosis compared to other groups.
In a 2014 study, findings reported that rates of disordered eating have increased across all demographic sectors but at a faster rate in male, lower socioeconomic, and older participants.
Eating disorders are multifactorial. However, one common influence is the pursuit of the thin ideal set by our society’s standards of “health.”
Eating disorders are complex and caused by a combination of factors, but societal pressures to achieve a certain body type play a significant role. One’s desire to achieve the “ideal” weight, body shape, or size can seriously harm their well-being all for the sake of, ironically, attaining “good health.” Also, as a result of our cultural health standards, individuals who struggle with an eating disorder may go unnoticed or be misdiagnosed because their body type does not “fit” the standard or they are not “sick enough.”
The Role of Diet Culture
By age 6, girls especially start to express concerns about their weight or shape.
81% of elementary school girls (ages 6-12) are concerned about their weight or becoming "too fat."
46% of elementary school girls are attempting to control their bodies through dieting.
57% of teenage girls are attempting to control their bodies through dieting.
91% of college-aged women admitted to controlling their weight through dieting. As statistics show, this concern endures throughout one’s life.
In a weight-class sport (wrestling, rowing, horseracing) and aesthetic sports (bodybuilding, gymnastics, swimming, diving), about 33% of male athletes are affected by disordered eating, and in female athletes, estimates up to 62% are affected by disordered eating.
In a 2015 survey of college students, transgender students were significantly more likely than members of any other group to report an eating disorder diagnosis in the past year, likely in attempts to control or change their appearance.
It’s important to note that less than 6% of people with eating disorders are medically classified as “underweight,” challenging the misconception that these disorders have a specific “look.”
Eating disorders are serious conditions that can have a profound mental and physical impact. This is not to discourage anyone who is struggling— recovery is possible, and treatment is available. Statistics on mortality and eating disorders emphasize the impact they can have on one’s well-being and the importance of treatment. There is no threshold for sickness or struggle that one must experience before help is considered, and there is no shame in reaching out for support.
Recognizing the Signs of an Eating Disorder
Eating disorders are often overlooked due to stereotypes about body type. Signs to watch for include:
Drastic changes in eating habits
Preoccupation with food, weight, or body image
Physical symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, or digestive issues
Recovery Is Possible
While eating disorders are serious, recovery is achievable with proper support and treatment. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available.
Resources for Eating Disorder Awareness and Support
NEDA Helpline: call or text at 1-800-931-2237. You can also text the Crisis Text Line (NEDA to 741741) or use the Helpline Chat on the NEDA Helpline website
Books:
How to Nourish Your Child Through an Eating Disorder by Casey Crosbie and Wendy Sterling
8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder by Carolyn Costin and Gwen Schubert Grabb
Join a support group (available to those recovering from an eating disorder and the families of those in recovery)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: toll-free at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You also can text the Crisis Text Line (HELLO to 741741) or use the Lifeline Chat on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website
If you are interested in learning about higher levels of care, you can refer to this post on eating disorder treatment centers.
If you are a loved one who is looking for tools to help support someone going through an eating disorder, read this post.
Get Professional Support
Looking for specialized eating disorder nutrition counseling? Our team of registered dietitians provides compassionate, evidence-based care virtually across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and in-person at our Gorham, Maine office. Contact us today to take the first step toward recovery.
