Eating Disorder Awareness For Everyone

Our bodies need ample food every day to keep us balanced and regulated. It is remarkable how much our routine eating habits can impact our overall well-being and our body’s ability to prevent disease. 

During my undergraduate studies in Biology here at the U, I developed a passion for nutrition and supporting folks navigating difficulties with disordered eating in underserved communities.

I aspire to become an eating disorder dietitian that recognizes that it’s a myth that only a certain “type” of person is affected by eating disorders. In reality, anyone can be affected by an eating disorder but men, people of color, older folks, and folks with average body weights, and others who are often excluded from the conversation about healthy eating. 

In honor of Eating Disorder Awareness Week, let’s look at how dietetics - or the science of how nutrition influences well-being - can help us gain greater peace with our self-image.

 

What is the difference between disordered eating habits and an eating disorder?

Each of us deserves to feel safe, satisfied, and balanced within our bodies. Unfortunately, there are many cultural messages that try to tell us that weight and how our body looks is more important than listening to our body’s needs.

 

It may surprise you that common behaviors we have been taught are “healthy” can be warning signs for what can escalate into a life-threatening disorder.

Disordered eating looks like behaviors that go against our bodies’ natural hunger and fullness cues that are unfortunately common in communities that value “thinness” over health. It can be helpful to visualize these warning signs along a spectrum of behaviors that lead up to a clinically diagnosable life-threatening eating disorder. 

Practicing neutrality can be helpful when you notice judgemental thoughts around your body. One affirmation to try during these tough moments is to say aloud is...

“What my body allows me to do is more important than what my body looks like.”

 

Who is impacted by eating disorders?

Unfortunately, there is a common myth that only a certain “type” of person is susceptible to disordered eating. 

 Eating disorders affect people of all backgrounds, yet many go undiagnosed due to stereotypes perpetuated by society. Did you know the average anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder begins between 18 and 21 years old? Recognizing the mental and physical signs of an eating disorder is essential, especially for males, racial and ethnic minorities, and people in larger bodies who may be overlooked by health professionals.

Recently, health and fitness has exploded on social media with influencers sharing edited photos and workout routines claiming to get the follower “beach bod ready”. It’s important to practice caution here, because extreme behaviors to manipulate body composition, uncontrollable overeating in a short period of time, and compensatory actions after meals are all signs of an eating disorder. 

“What we want [active students] to know is that the long-term benefits of adequately fueling their activity outweigh the short-term benefits of changes to body weight and composition,” states Dr. Kary Woodruff, sports dietitian and associate professor of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology at the University of Utah.

 

How does imbalanced eating impact the body and our well-being?

The constant lack of food has a massive impact on the body. Without support, as our natural systems become exhausted, the stress of disordered eating can appear in the body as weakened bones, chronic pain, loss of menstruation, indigestion, depression, irritated bowel syndrome, loss of energy, sleep difficulty, and headaches.

At the University of Utah’s Student Health Center, clinicians regularly see students at the general outpatient level navigating eating disorders. For some students, it may be recommended to seek intensive care depending on the frequency and intensity of their disordered eating behaviors. I sat down with Intermountain Health’s leading eating disorder dietitian Jennifer Wilke who walked through what indicates a client may need additional support.

“We recommend a higher level of care when the frequency of eating disorder behaviors are interfering with a student’s classes, family life, or work,” says Wilke. “Intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization gives a patient additional support and accountability as they work through struggles with their eating disorder.” 

Importantly, she mentions that if a student’s eating disorder is causing medical and/or psychiatric instability, they should seek out a residential or inpatient program where they will receive 24/7 supervision from staff.

What does recovery look like?

All things considered, professionals I spoke with mentioned how building a positive relationship with your body is worth the effort and reiterated that recovery is possible. Finding recovery communities and practicing self-compassion were two of their strongest recommendations for students struggling with food and their body image.

Dr. Julia Franklin, Director of the University of Utah’s Health and Wellness Graduate program, suggests that we can “[s]how self-compassion by thinking kind thoughts about your body. Be patient – changing the way we think takes time. Do your best every day. If you feel like you need some help changing your thoughts and attitudes, seek professional help.”

Take action to promote positive, satisfying, and balanced relationships with food and body image by sharing this blog and demystifying eating disorders with family and friends.

Consider continuing this conversation and receive free and confidential support building a balanced meal plan from a motivating professional Wellness Coach!