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What is an Eating Disorder?

Eating Disorder is a serious mental health condition which involves an unhealthy relationship with food, distorted body image and distressing thoughts.

People become constantly preoccupied with food. Pick up cooking as a hobby, watch cooking shows/videos about food, browse through grocery store website (look at food they wish the could’ve bought). An eating disorder slowly destroys their life, sucks out all the joy. Mealtimes bring them anxiety.

It is important to realize that anyone can develop an eating disorder regardless of gender, cultural background, or age.


Eating disorders affect at least 9% of the population worldwide

30 million of Americans will develop an eating disorder in their lifetime.

18-20% of anorexics die within 20 years

Every 62 minutes at least one person dies as a direct result from an eating disorder.

STRIPED HARVARD, 2020



Common types of Eating Disorders:

  • Anorexia Nervosa

A person has an intense fear of gaining weight, so they restrict their food intake.

(!) Not all people with anorexia are underweight .

  • Binge Eating Disorder

People eat a large amount of food in a short period of time. They have a loss of control over eating.

  • Bulimia Nervosa

People get rid of the food through vomiting, laxatives or diet pills (known as 'purging').

  • Orthorexia Nervosa

An unhealthy obsession with “clean” (healthy) eating.

  • Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED)

A person has many of the symptoms of other eating disorders but their condition doesn't align with any specific disorder



Symptoms of an Eating Disorder

  • Physical

- Weight change

- Disturbance in menstruation cycle

- Dizziness

- Fatigue

- Stomach cramps

- Abnormal laboratory findings (anemia, low thyroid and hormone levels, low potassium, low blood cell counts, slow heart rate)

- Constant cold

  • Behavioral

- Dieting/Change in eating habits

- Purging

- Binge eating

- Excessive exercises

- Constant body checking

- Calorie counting

- Social withdrawal

- Mood swings

- Obsession with appearance/weight/dieting

- Preoccupation With Food



Causes of an Eating Disorder

It’s unclear why a person develops an eating disorder but there are some factors that might make contribution to the illness.

One of the main factors is the unrealistic beauty standard set by the society. The fashion industry places a strong emphasis on persons appearance which leads to the belief that self-worth is tied to weight.

Also, it is believed that food helps people deal with their emotions. It’s a way to feel a sense control.

Traumatic events can also cause the development of an eating disorder. Those incidents—such as bullying, abuse, difficult family relationships, or the death of a loved one—can lead to overwhelming and uncontrollable emotions.

Studies have shown that genetics may also be a contributing factor to eating disorders. Biological factors, such as changes in brain chemicals, may play a role.

There isn’t a single factor that can be pinpointed as the only cause of an eating disorders it’s more of a combination of psychological, environmental and genetic factors.




If you or someone you know has the symptoms of an eating disorder, it is important to seek professional help as early as possible. Visiting a doctor is the first step to recovery. Eating disorders are damaging to the body and can even be fatal but they are treatable.

If you are seeking help for someone else it is important to understand that the person himself may not realize that he/she has an eating disorder. He/she may also deny it or be secretive and defensive about his/her eating or weight.

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