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15 Must-know Facts About Eating Disorders   

Over 10 thousand deaths each year are the direct result of an eating disorder and close to 30% of people with eating disorders attempt suicide in their lifetime. An eating disorder is an unhealthy obsession with eating, exercise, or body shape, and are serious mental illnesses that affect millions of people worldwide. 

These distorted eating behaviors can have severe physical and psychological consequences, and it is important to understand the causes and symptoms, plus the importance of early intervention and comprehensive treatment.  

We also must challenge societal beauty standards, promote body positivity, reduce the pressure of looking a certain way, and accept one another as we are, even as we create a supportive environment for those struggling with eating disorders.  

Here are 15 must-know facts about eating disorders. 

1. There Are Several Different Types Of Eating Disorders   

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Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge eating disorder, Orthorexia Nervosa, Pica, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), muscle dysmorphia, and Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) are the different types of eating disorders that affect people in the world today.  

The common physical symptoms in most of the disorders above include: Looking malnourished, pale, too thin, or unhealthy, experiencing disturbed sleep, trouble regulating body temperature, dry skin, brittle nails and/or hair, thinning hair, growth of fine hair on the body, experiencing decreased appetite, abdominal pain, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.  

Other serious long-term issues include infertility, organ damage, and an increased risk of developing chronic conditions like osteoporosis. 

Read 15 facts about Anorexia here.

2. Most People Who Have Eating Disorders Do Not Know It Is A Problem  

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Many individuals who struggle with eating disorders are often not aware that they have a problem. It is important to promote education, raise awareness, and foster a supportive environment to help individuals with eating disorders become more aware of their condition and seek the necessary help and support.   

Not finishing meals, adopting extreme diets such as veganism, exhibiting a preoccupation with their own body, constant mirror checking or completely avoiding the mirror, asking about ingredients in food, increasing the intensity and length of their workouts, lying about whether they’ve eaten or not, and withdrawing from peers to avoid being offered food are some of the behavioral changes to look out for. 

3. People Do Not Choose To Have Eating Disorders 

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Eating disorders are not choices, but rather complex mental health conditions characterized by severe disturbances in their thoughts and emotions. Certain factors such as societal pressures, body image issues, and genetic predisposition can contribute to the development of eating disorders, and just like any other disease, the victims have not chosen to be unwell.  

By recognizing that eating disorders are not choices, we should be more empathetic and create a more compassionate environment to help those affected.   

4. Eating Disorders Should Not Be Taken Lightly, They Kill 

Eating disorders can have severe and life-threatening consequences, and they can indeed lead to death if left untreated or if the individual’s condition becomes extremely severe.  

Serious physical health consequences can include severe malnutrition, brain dysfunction, and heart or kidney failure. Unfortunately, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses. 

5. People With Eating Disorders Are Likely To Commit Suicide 

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Individuals with eating disorders often have a distorted view of their bodies. They may perceive themselves as overweight or flawed and may experience severe emotional distress, plus low self-esteem.  

These factors plus other mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse can add to the distress, contributing to feelings of hopelessness, despair, and a sense of being trapped, which may increase the risk of committing suicide. 

However, it should be noted that not all individuals with eating disorders experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors. 

6. Eating Disorders Affect Boys Too 

Eating disorders are unfortunately mostly associated with females. However, males develop these conditions too, thanks to the unique challenges that they face and societal pressures related to body image and masculinity. The most common one for boys is muscle dysmorphia. 

The sad fact is, due to stigma and cultural expectations, boys and men are less likely to seek help or receive an accurate diagnosis. 

7. Being In Control Of What Food They Consume Helps Victims Feel A Bit Better 

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Most people who develop eating disorders often experience immense emotional distress, and their behaviors are often driven by a desperate attempt to cope with underlying emotional pain, control issues, or traumatic experiences. 

Being in control of what food they eat, makes them feel less out of control in other areas of their lives. 

8. Issues In Relationships Can Cause One To Have Eating Disorders 

Issues in one’s love life, being cheated on, fights with loved ones, family problems, separation and divorce, issues at the workplace, and other difficult relationships can all cause a person to turn to unhealthy eating. 

Comfort eating then afterwards feeling guilty and over-exercising are some of the consequences. Children are directly affected by issues in the family. 

9. One’s Line Of Work Can Cause Eating Disorders 

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Professions that emphasize a person’s appearance, weight, or a specific body image, such as modeling, dancing, athletics plus other competitive sports, acting, cabin crews, and news anchors can put individuals at higher risk.  

These fields may have heightened pressure to maintain a certain body shape or weight, leading to body dissatisfaction and an increased risk of developing an eating disorder. 

10. The LGBTQ+ Community Is At A Higher Risk Of Developing Eating Disorders 

LGBTQ+ people have eating disorders at higher rates than others. This is because these individuals often face higher levels of stress due to discrimination, stigma, and prejudice.  

This chronic stress can contribute to mental health challenges, including body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors. Being other than heterosexual or cisgender predicts higher levels of laxative abuse, purging, and fasting. 

11. There Are Other High-Risk Groups To Take Note Of 

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There are certain groups of people amongst ourselves that are most like to suffer from these disorders. Some high-risk groups include marginalized minorities in the community, low-income people, teenage girls, people with traumatic pasts especially those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addicted people who use drugs and alcohol. 

They have a higher chance of developing an eating disorder in their lives, and cultivating a sense of belonging, promoting positive body image, and raising awareness about the unique challenges they may be facing can help reduce the risk of eating disorders. 

Check out this article on facts about smoking.

12. These Conditions Can Be Treated 

Eating disorders are treatable. As with any illness, every patient requires a unique treatment plan and there is no one-size-fits-all. It all depends on the needs of a patient and individually tailored care plans are advised to ensure the best possible outcome from their treatment.    

One should get help at a hospital, seek help from a mental health professional, or get admitted at residential treatment centers. There is also the option of having outpatient or even intensive outpatient treatment. 

13. Some Cases Need Critical Care At The Hospital  

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As stated earlier, eating disorders can be critical and potentially life-threatening. In some serious cases, hospitalization may be required for patients that require medical monitoring or who need additional care in the form of intravenous fluids, tube feeds, or consistent vital signs checks. 

The disorders should be taken seriously because they can lead to serious complications and health risks like malnutrition, electrolyte imbalances, cardiac problems, organ damage, osteoporosis, hormonal disturbances, and even death. 

14. Treating Other Underly Conditions Is Important 

It is essential to seek professional help and support for individuals experiencing eating disorders. Denial, shame, and stigma are some reasons why people don’t get treatment. A supportive environment helps one become more aware of their condition and seek the necessary help and support. 

In some cases, the physician or psychiatrist may recommend antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, or other medications to reduce symptoms and help the patient focus on recovery. While there are very few medicines specifically designed for eating disorders, addressing other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, can lead to measurable improvement. 

Here are some facts about Bipolar Disorder.

15. All Is Not Lost, There Is Hope 

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The good news about this condition is that making a full recovery is possible. While it may be a challenge for someone to lose their eating disorder, it’s certainly not impossible — particularly when the person, health professionals, and loved ones are all pulling in the right direction, working towards recovery. 

To win the fight against eating disorders, we need to have empathy, awareness, and support for individuals affected, and start promoting a healthier relationship with food, body image, and mental well-being. It is articles like this one that help raise awareness of crucial health issues that people struggle with unknowingly.   

Here is an article about famous people with Mental Health Issues.