By Dr. Elyssa L. Zimmerman
February 24, 2021
Have you ever heard of National Eating Disorders Awareness (NEDA) Week? Did you know that it is currently National Eating Disorders Awareness Week? This year, NEDA is promoting the idea that there is a seat at the table for everyone. While the statistics on the prevalence of eating disorders is difficult to pin down exactly, largely because there are so many manifestations of disordered eating, I feel pretty comfortable asserting that you know, and have likely shared a table with someone who struggles with an eating disorder.
It’s important to know the truth about eating disorders in order to be the best resource for yourself, and for those around you who might need help. Here we will address some common misconceptions regarding eating disorders.
Myth: If you’re not thin, you don’t have an eating disorder.
Fact: Individuals with eating disorders come in any and all body shapes and sizes. Although some specific eating disorders do have a BMI requirement for diagnosis, disordered eating does not have a body type.
Myth: Eating disorders are only a problem for women.
Fact: Some research* indicates that males account for about 25% of Anorexia Nervosa disorders. This research also indicates that males are more likely to die from eating disorders because it takes much longer for them to be identified.
Myth: Once you start eating again, everything will go back to normal.
Fact: If an eating disorder is severe enough, individuals can have lifelong health issues that include infertility and cardiac disorders.
Myth: Bulimia isn’t as bad for you as Anorexia
Fact: All eating disorders are damaging emotionally and physically. The ways that different disorders can impact an individual might be different, but they are all dangerous.
These are only a few of the misconceptions that I have heard most often. Sometimes I hear these from individuals with eating disorders, and sometimes I hear them from individuals who love someone with an eating disorder. With eating disorders, we have found that the sooner someone is able to find help and support, the better their chance of recovering. This piece of information, combined with the fact that girls often start being concerned about being “too fat” by about age six**, indicates that we need to be showing support and acceptance for the duration of an individual’s life. If you are concerned that someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, do some research and see what you can do to help. A great place to start is The National Eating Disorders Association.
*Mond, J.M., Mitchison, D., & Hay, P. (2014). Prevalence and implications of eating disordered behavior in men. In L. Cohn & R. Lemberg, Current Findings on Males with Eating Disorders. Philadelphia, PA: Routledge.
**Smolak, L. (2011). Body image development in childhood. In T. Cash & L. Smolak (Eds.), Body Image: A Handbook of Science, Practice, and Prevention (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford.
