Eating Disorders and Body Image - Manaskriti Sista

Tens of millions of people are affected by eating disorders and body image issues globally. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) in the United States, approximately 20 million women, and 10 million men will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives. Oftentimes, body image issues can contribute to eating disorders and affect even more people, with societal pressures and media portrayal of idealized body types playing significant roles.

Eating disorders are behavioral conditions that are characterized by severe and persistent disturbance in eating behavior that is associated with distressing thoughts and emotions. Although eating disorders can affect anyone regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, body shape, and weight, most often, women between the ages of 12 and 35 are most affected by eating disorders.Eating disorders often co-occur with other psychiatric disorders, most commonly, mood and anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and alcohol and substance use disorders.

Many people develop eating disorders through body image issues.

Many risk factors for eating disorders exist such as complex interactions of genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors. One main approach involves the study of human genes as eating disorders run in families. Currently, researchers are working on identifying DNA variations that are linked to the increased risk of developing eating disorders. Brain imaging studies also help provide a better understanding of eating disorders. 

There are three main types of eating disorders: Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa, and Binge-eating disorder. Anorexia nervosa is a condition where people avoid food, severely restrict food, or eat very small quantities of very specific foods. Two subtypes of anorexia nervosa include the restrictive type where people severely limit the amount and type of food they consume, and the binge-purge subtype where people also greatly restrict the amount of food they consume, but they have binge-eating and purging episodes where they eat a large amount of food in a short period and then follow it up with vomiting or using laxatives to get rid of what was consumed. Anorexia nervosa CAN be fatal. 

Bulimia nervosa is a condition where people have recurrent and frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food, and feel like they can’t control these episodes. After episodes of binge-eating, individuals with bulimia nervosa often engage in compensatory behaviors such as forced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, intense exercise, or a combination of these actions. People with bulimia nervosa may exhibit a range of body weights, from slightly underweight to normal weight or overweight. 

Finally, binge-eating disorder involves losing control over eating, and regularly consuming unusually large amounts of food. Unlike bulimia nervosa, episodes of binge eating are not typically followed by purging, excessive exercise, or fasting. Consequently, individuals with binge-eating disorder often experience overweight or obesity. This disorder is the most prevalent eating disorder in the United States.

There are many ways to treat eating disorders including options such as individual, group, and/or family psychotherapy, medical care and monitoring, nutritional counseling, and even medication. 

Body image issues refer to the thoughts, perceptions, and feelings an individual has about their own body. These can range from positive to negative and may involve unrealistic perceptions or dissatisfaction with one's appearance. People with body image issues may obsessively focus on perceived flaws or imperfections, leading to feelings of shame, anxiety, or even depression. These issues can be influenced by various factors including societal ideals of beauty, media portrayals, peer pressure, and personal experiences. Body image issues can impact mental and emotional well-being, as well as contribute to the development of eating disorders and other psychological conditions.

Body image issues play a significant role in the development and maintenance of eating disorders. When individuals have a negative body image—perceiving themselves as overweight, unattractive, or flawed—they may engage in extreme behaviors to change their appearance, such as restrictive eating, excessive exercise, or purging. These behaviors can lead to conditions like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder. Conversely, some individuals with poor body image may use food as a coping mechanism for emotional distress, leading to binge eating and subsequent feelings of guilt and shame. Overall, negative body image can exacerbate the risk of developing and perpetuating disordered eating patterns, highlighting the complex interplay between self-perception and eating behaviors.

Learning more about these issues can help raise awareness and help change societal norms and societal images of what someone should look like. Getting rid of these “molds” for people to fit in will lead to better mental health and a happier life for many individuals worldwide. Eating is enjoyable for everyone, and body shaming and causing eating disorders removes a key source of joy for many. Accepting everyone for who they are plays a key role in good mental health and positivity for everyone. Raising awareness about problems such as body image issues and eating disorders helps make the world a happier society.