We live in a diet-minded culture. The annual revenues of our diet industry exceed $60 billion. About 90 million people in the United States are on a diet each year, which is almost one-third of our nation’s population. Daily, our technology and media offer a relentless flow of messages: we need to “lose weight,” “get ready for summer,” or “get healthy.” But for true health and wellness in our diet-saturated society, we need to discuss the unplanned risk of dieting: eating disorders.
Roughly 10 million men and 20 million women in the United States will experience a significant eating disorder at some time in their lives. I’m not sure we have statistics yet, but we know that there’s a high prevalence of eating disorders in the transgender population. Personally, I think any counts are low since it can be difficult to distinguish between dieting and disorder sometimes. Plus, people often don’t realize when they have shifted to illness.
Though the exact cause(s) of eating disorders have yet to be determined, dieting often plays a role in illness development. For those vulnerable to these disorders, a well-intentioned diet can unexpectedly shift into a life-changing, psychologically tormenting, and physically damaging ordeal.
Think tHat Only Female Adolescents get eating disorders—NOPE!
There is a misperception that only young women become sick with eating disorders, but eating disorders can affect anyone. Adolescence and early adulthood are considered the ages of greatest susceptibility, yet eating disorders also occur in childhood, mid-, and later life.
Signs There Might be a Problem
The transition from diet to disorder can be subtle, and manifestations vary. Some signs of a potential problem can include:
- Dieting attitudes and behaviors switch from a choice (“I choose to”) to obsessive thoughts and compelled behaviors (“I need to” or “I have to”).
- Overall interests, activities and social interactions diminish while focus on food, body, exercise and diet increases.
- Clothing size, calories, the scale, and nutritional content numbers dictate moods and feelings of self-worth.
- Personal body shape or size is perceived differently from what others see (body distortions).
- Deprivation to overindulgence becomes a cycle. Studies support that restricting (cutting back on food intake) can trigger bingeing (eating more than what is considered normal, accompanied by a feeling of being “out of control”).
- Inappropriate compensatory behaviors are enlisted to negate food or caloric intake, such as excessive exercise, vomiting, diuretics, laxatives, enemas, spitting out food before swallowing, taking medications, energizing self on caffeine-packed drinks, etc.
People with eating disorders may not realize, and others around them may not know, when they have crossed the line between dieting and danger.
Anorexia nervosa was thought to have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness, but a 2009 study revealed that the mortality rate of EDNOS (a former diagnostic category including Binge-Eating Disorder and subclinical anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa) surpassed the death rate of anorexia nervosa. Even seemingly mild eating disorders can severely tax a person’s physical body and psychological wellness.
Common Misconceptions ABOUT Eating Disorders
Understanding some misconceptions surrounding and recognizing some symptoms of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and other specified/unspecified feeding and eating disorders is the first step in taking healthy action.
- Eating disorders are real disorders. Having a disorder is not a choice, and there is no way to tell whose diet may lead to an eating disorder.
- Eating disorders are illnesses in which the relationship to food and body often inhibit a person’s quality of life.
- Eating disorders can be significantly psychologically and physically damaging.
- People with eating disorders generally display a heightened focus on food, body and weight; for example, they may experience intense fear of weight-gain; a self-evaluation greatly influenced by size or weight; body distortions; or pay marked attention to food and eating. A person with an eating disorder:
- may engage in bingeing, restricting, and inappropriate compensatory behaviors.
- might appear to gain or lose a substantial amount of weight in a short time.
- can be a person of any weight.
Eating disorders are complex illnesses, and recognizing them can be a difficult, frightening and painful task for everyone involved. An eating disorder, or parts of it, can be a secret even to the person affected by the disorder. Feelings of shame may keep parts of the disorder hidden from self and others. Affected persons (and society) may view behaviors and practices as “good” or “disciplined,” especially when the person has shifted to a lifestyle focused on purity of foods (at least in public). “Healthy” habits can mask an eating disorder.
What Do I Do? I Think Someone I love might have a Problem
If you think you or a loved one may be suffering from an eating disorder, be proactive.
- Educate yourself about eating disorders. Maybe consult with a professional eating disorder specialist (e.g., a psychotherapist) to gain a better understanding of eating disorders and treatment options. Additionally, you might visit reputable eating disorder websites such as the Academy for Eating Disorders, National Eating Disorder Association, and National Association for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.
- Seek support and help right away. Since eating disorders are treatable illnesses, early intervention can help to reduce chronicity and severity.
- Consider enlisting the help of a doctor, therapist, or dietitian trained in eating disorders (preferably someone from a weight-inclusive stance).
- Eating disorders can come with physical consequences; so management often includes medical monitoring . If you see a doctor who may not be familiar with eating disorders, the Medical Management brochure from the Academy for Eating Disorders can help. See—http://www.aedweb.org.
- Get curious. Your genuine curiosity can reduce feelings of shame and help the person explore their experience. For example, “I notice that you seem disciplined in your eating. I wonder what it’s like for you to not share in the birthday cake?”
Do You Think You Could have aN Eating Disorder?
If you are curious about whether your dieting practices could be symptomatic of an eating disorder, try asking yourself: “Would I recommend my exact practices, rules, and beliefs to someone I love?” A “no” answer indicates that you might benefit from connecting with a specialist–like me! Or, maybe you feel concerned about a loved one’s situation. Either way, feel free to contact me to explore possibilities.
