Eating Disorders
- TeenToTeen
- Jan 5, 2021
- 8 min read
There has always been a stigma surrounding the topic of eating disorders. This is partly due to their glorification and often misinterpretation on social media and on the big screen. Even in the real world, it’s tiptoed around and regarded as a sensitive topic. This results in a lack of seriousness when the subject comes up. This then leads to many individuals being uneducated on the matter and overall having feelings of confusion and discomfort when speaking on the situation. The portrayal of eating disorders in the media has also formed a stereotype on who can and can’t get them, prohibiting so many people from feeling comfortable enough to reach out for the help that they need. This isn’t something that we can change with the snap of a finger but something that everyone can do to start, would just be simply educating yourself and those around you.
Misinformation can lead to the denial of an eating disorder or the normalization of bad habits, which can be extremely harmful. In this article, we’re going to talk about a few different types of eating disorders, how eating disorders may be displayed in the media, how to talk to someone who may be struggling, and how to reach out to people if you find that you might be struggling yourself. It may be a difficult discussion to have, but that's okay. It will get easier the more you learn.
To start, Eating disorders are way more common than you may think:
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, roughly 3.8% of girls and 1.5% of boys from ages 13 through 18 have been diagnosed with some form of an eating disorder. The Journal of School Nursing gave a report in which they found that nearly a fourth of 12,000 teens from ages 15 to 17 misjudge their weight. What this means is that they believe themselves to be overweight when in reality.. they aren’t at all. Teens who feel this way are more likely to develop unhealthy diets and eating disorders, according to Jagdish Khubchandani, a health science professor at Ball State University.
Boys are often overlooked in conversations about eating disorders based on the stereotype that only girls can be affected. This is false!! Any human, no matter their identity, can be affected by an eating disorder.
How Social Media Can Be Harmful to Your Self Image:
On social media every day there are people who will post a beach selfie with #summerbod or TikToks using the background sound “SKINNYYYYYYYY”. These body types are then glorified in comment sections while pages with bodies that don't fit the “standard” are shamed. Seeing comments like these can lead people to develop unrealistic personal expectations for themselves and their bodies. One study, which surveyed girls from grades 5–12, found that 69% of girls report that "magazine pictures influence their idea of the perfect body shape". Everyone is beautiful and deserves just as much love as the next. Sadly, there probably will always be someone trying to put others down which is why it is so important that we build people right back up. Be the positivity you want to see in the world. A study led by Dr. Simon M. Wilksch of Flinders University in Australia took a deeper look at how social media can affect body image. The results of the study, published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, found that eating disorders "were reported by 51.7% of girls and 45.0% of boys, with strict exercise and meal skipping the most common. A total of 75.4% of girls and 69.9% of boys had at least one social media account where Instagram was the most common, used by 68.1% of girls and 61.7% of boys.
What are the different types of eating disorders?
There are a few different types of eating disorders out there that many people may not be educated on and that’s okay! Something important to know is that eating disorders can stem from many different influences in someone's life and can be different for everyone- it's never a one size fits all situation. Here are some types of eating disorders along with some information you may find helpful to learn more about them:
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by weight loss and having low body weight. A common view of people with anorexia is that they may be overweight causing them to try and stay thin to obtain a body type that they believe is “appropriate” for their height and/or age. People with anorexia may restrict the number of calories they eat by closely monitoring the types of food they eat. Some will also exercise, make themselves throw up, use laxatives, and/or binge eats in an attempt to keep their weight where they believe it should be. The NEDA reports that over their lifetime, 0.9% of women and 0.3% of men will develop anorexia.
Some common symptoms and signs of Anorexia Nervosa can include:
Dramatic weight loss
Dressing in layers to hide weight loss or stay warm as an effort to burn calories
Frequent comments about feeling/ being “fat”
Maintains an excessive exercise routine no matter weather, fatigue, illness, or injury.
Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by a period of bingeing and usually followed by vomiting to cancel out the previous binging. According to the NEDA, 1.5% of women and 0.5% of men will develop bulimia at some point in their lifetime. A sign to look out for in someone you may be concerned for could be calluses or marks on the back of their hands and knuckles from vomiting, dental problems, excessive cavities, teeth yellowing, bad breath that can smell like they had recently been sick, and tooth sensitivity.
Some Common Signs & Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa can be (but are not limited to):
Binge eating, which can be a display by the disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods or lots of empty wrappers and containers
Frequent trips to the bathroom after meals followed by signs and/or smells of vomiting
Presence of wrappers or packages of laxatives
Excessive usage amounts of mouthwash, mints, and gum
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Binge eating disorder (BED) is a severe, sometimes life-threatening, yet treatable eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food (often very quickly and even so much to make you uncomfortable). It can also result in a feeling of a loss of control during a binge. In some cases, after binging, a person experiencing a BED could be feeling shame or guilt, resulting in purging the food. BED is also the most common eating disorder in the United States. Binging behavior must happen at least once a week over three months to be formally diagnosed. According to the NEDA, 3.5% of women and 2% of men are slated to have binge eating disorder over their lifetime
Some Common Signs & Symptoms of a Binge Eating Disorder can include (but are not limited to) :
Secretly eating large amounts of food at a time
A lack of self-control over how much you eat in a single sitting
Feeling of low self-esteem, feeling disgusted, guilty, or depressed as a response to overeating
Stealing or hoarding food in secret places
A sign to look for could be large amounts of food going missing or finding wrappers of food in large quantities usually hidden away or buried within the trash
Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder (UFED)
An unspecified feeding or eating disorder (UFED) is characterized by a feeding and eating disorder that can cause significant distress emotionally and in your social life. However, its symptoms do not meet the full criteria of disorders in the “feeding and eating disorders diagnostic class”, which is why it remains unspecified. The unspecified feeding and eating disorder category is used usually when a doctor may not have enough information to make a direct and proper diagnosis.
These are just a few of the many different types of eating disorders that there are out there. It's always important to remember that if you feel that you or someone you know may be struggling with some of these things, doing more research and talking to someone about it is the best way to go. It’s always okay to ask for help, even if you may not be 100% sure about your feelings. It’s always okay (and valid) to not be okay.
What are some treatments for eating disorders?
Something important that you should know is that although eating disorders may be difficult, there are many different ways to treat them. Treatments will be different for everyone because each circumstance is specific and particular to the individual. That being said, here are some of the most common treatments:
Inpatient and outpatient treatment are some of the most common forms of treatment. Inpatient treatments are tailored for those who need closer care. The exact type of treatment would depend on the severity of the patient's eating disorder. In-patient and outpatient treatment can include staying in a treatment center that would provide you with a good community of help to surround you as well as giving you the proper diet. The treatment is designed to help a person develop healthier habits while at the same time educating them about eating disorders. It also is aimed to help someone understand the stem of their unhealthy habits as well, to better understand why healthy habits are important.
Outpatient, or daytime, treatments for anorexia or bulimia are similar to inpatient care but are only during the day. Daytime treatment is best for those who have a safe and supportive home to return to each night. It can also just mean an hour or two of therapy on a regular basis.
There are still more types of treatments for eating disorders but to list them all would be difficult because there isn’t really a set list. Everyone is different and needs different levels of care and attention. Treating an eating disorder is all about helping in the best way possible for the individual.
How should you approach a friend who may be struggling?
Approaching a friend who may have an eating disorder can be difficult. It's a delicate situation which is why it's always important to make sure they're comfortable- if they don't want to talk about something, you should push them to. It’s very important to make sure you let them know that you care for them in a non-confrontational way. Try to stay in a positive mindset and in a peaceful setting to help focus on the conversation.
One way you could start is by pinpointing a time that may have started to concern you about their eating habits or why a moment may have led you to believe they may be struggling. Remember to use “I” statements instead of “you” statements. An example could be “I begin to worry when I hear you sick” opposed to “You can’t keep making yourself sick”. Try not to criticize their habits, it is important to remind them that you are only trying to help and support them. Avoid commenting on how someone may present themselves; they could feel negatively towards their appearance and could lead them to feel worse. Lastly try not to give them a solution or trick them into one you’ve planned out without discussing with them first. Refrain from saying things like “If you would just eat you would be okay” or “You need to eat more”; you don’t want them to think they need to be fixed.
A lot of times, someone could be in denial themselves and become defensive while expressing feelings of anger. That’s okay, it’s probably the most common reaction that someone may have if they are really struggling. If this happens, it’s very important to take a step back and give them some space. It will be hard to do because you care for that person and want to see them at their best. If they aren’t ready to talk about it though, pushing them to do so would only be counterproductive.
Even if your initial conversation doesn’t go as planned, you shouldn't give up. Just make it clear that you will be there for them whenever they are ready to talk. One of the most important things for someone who is struggling to have is a support system surrounding them.
It's okay to not be okay.
Remember: when you use online sources, cite them.
[https://adaa.org/eating-disorders/types-of-eating-disorders]
[https://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2019/12/17/is-social-media-increasing-eating-disorders-in-teens/#68b532bff246]
[https://eatingdisorders.com/articles/eating-disorders/how-to-talk-to-someone-with-an-eating-disorder]
Name: Lana Budion
Editor: Nathalia Ramkissoon
Very nice post!