The 5 Warning Signs of Eating Disorders 

Eating can be one of life’s joys. Joining with friends and family and sharing a meal can be a wonderful time to exchange ideas, communicate news, and participate in cultural traditions. However, weight has become a preoccupation in society with fashion dictating desirable and less desirable weights. In addition, what you eat or do not eat can be a response to a feeling of lack of control of events in life.  

9% of the US population will experience disordered eating in their lifetime and 678,000 deaths a year are related to nutrition and obesity-related diseases. There are many misconceptions surrounding disordered eating. Many people falsely assume that eating disorders are easily visible to the naked eye. Many people without physical symptoms in their weight or abnormal weight suffer from disordered eating. Early interventions are key to improving outcomes. 

What are the most common eating disorders? 

Binge Eating disorders are the most common eating disorders in the United States. This disorder is characterized by eating until you are uncomfortably full over two hours, repeatedly. Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by having a distorted body image and eating little to no food. Anorexia has a high rate of mortality compared to many other mental disorders. Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by frequent episodes of binging followed by purging. Purging can include vomiting, exercising, use of laxatives, or a combination. Lastly is ARFID, which is Avoidant Restrictive Intake Food Disorder. This condition occurs in childhood and is severe picky eating where the child does not develop properly. 

It is important to understand as friends and family members that no disorder is the same and often eating disorders underlie or accompany other mental disorders which also require attention and treatment within a specific and custom plan. 

Are there Risk Factors for Eating Disorders? 

Eating disorders affect all backgrounds, ethnicities, and genders, but typically appear in early adulthood and teen years. Brain imaging and genetic research are revealing that there could be some predispositions to having eating disorders but there is nothing conclusive. Researchers have found that there are social, psychological, and genetic factors that contribute to eating disorders but there are no defined risk factors. 

5 Signals of Eating Disorders 

• Preoccupation with Weight, Food, and Body Image: When we see a friend or family member become obsessed with their body shape, weight, or food intake and exhibit signals such as frequently checking the mirror, weighing themselves, or talking about dieting, even if they are at a healthy weight, they may be suffering. 
• Changes in Eating Habits: Changes in eating habits include skipping meals, eating tiny portions, binge eating large amounts of food, or following strict food rules (e.g., only eating certain food or avoiding entire food groups) may signal an eating disorder. 
• Weight Changes: Whether weight gain or loss, dramatic fluctuations in weight without a medical reason can be a signal of an eating disorder, especially if accompanied by behaviors such as vomiting, laxative use, or excessive exercise.
• Avoiding Situations Involving Food: Family dinners, holidays, and special occasions that involve food may be avoided if a person is suffering from an eating disorder. Eating disorders are very isolating and many, whether they are binging or eating very little, prefer to eat in solitude. 
• Emotional and Behavioral Changes: Mood swings, anxiety, depression, irritability, or guilt related to eating habits often accompany an eating disorder. If you attempt to connect with a loved one about their eating and they express that they fear becoming fat or have shame around their weight, these signal eating disorders and accompany underlying or accompanying disorders. 

How is society impacting body perception? 

We discuss how the rampant flow of information and disinformation on health matters are carried from social media to our dinner tables and conversations. There are hundreds of accounts that are being created and banned daily with dangerous information relating to food disorders and health, from accounts that give dangerous diet advice to products targeting demographics that are unapproved by the FDA. As healthcare professionals, parents, and friends, we must be careful to watch for signs that our loved ones are not being influenced negatively by social media or societal factors. 

How do we help those with eating disorders live healthier balanced lives? 

Complete recovery from an eating disorder is entirely possible. Early intervention is key and in combination with treatment of underlying conditions such as depression and anxiety a normal life is possible. Each individual disorder is unlike another and for this reason, we at Apogee Behavioral Medicine, treat each case differently. Therapy, group counseling, medication management, and techniques like journalizing and positive affirmations are just some of the ways we work to help families and individuals overcome eating disorders. 

It is vitally important for those who are supporting and seeking treatment for loved ones with an eating disorder to be as supportive as possible. Try to be a non-judgemental partner and help the person learn non-food-related ways to cope with stressors. Building up the idea of body neutrality or the act of taking a neutral stance towards your body as neither good nor bad is a great place to start. Another place to start is by contacting Apogee Behavioral Medicine. We have decades of expertise treating eating disorders and their accompanying and underlying conditions. Together we craft a plan that works for your unique situation and our offices are designed to be havens and places of comfort during treatment. Contact us today.