Eating disorders (EDs) do not have a “look.” EDs have long been associated with extremely low weight. People in larger bodies can struggle with disordered eating just like people in smaller bodies, but because of fatphobia, EDs in those with larger bodies can often be untreated, dismissed, or even encouraged by practitioners.

You can’t tell whether someone is healthy or unhealthy by the size or shape of their body.

What everyone should know about eating disorders:

1. EDs can occur across the weight spectrum.
2. When a person at a higher weight is diagnosed with anorexia, it is referred to as “atypical anorexia nervosa” in the DSM-5 – the same obsessive restriction of food, fear of weight gain, and unhealthy rapid weight loss are present as in typical anorexia nervosa – BUT even if they are at an accepted “healthy” weight now, post-weight loss, it is an unhealthy weight for them because of how and at what speed the weight was lost. Because the individual was at a higher weight previously, this weight loss is often overlooked, undiagnosed, or even applauded.
3. More than half of those with atypical anorexia report self-harm and suicidal ideation. (PMID: 27114709)
4. Eating disorders experienced by people with higher weight are just as serious and life threatening (from medical complications and self-harm) as eating disorders among people with lower weight. (PMID: 30454732; PMID: 35044479)

Seeking help for disordered eating:

Try to find Health at Every Size (HAES)®-aligned health practitioners who are working to end weight discrimination, weight stigma, and weight bias.

• You can do this by first googling “primary care physician [or therapist, nutritionist, etc] along with any of the following keywords:
  • +HAES, + weight neutral, + weight inclusive.

• When you first call the office or have a Discovery Call, be honest with what you’re looking for! Tell them that you are looking for weight neutral or HAES-aligned care.
• Click here to learn more about my weight-neutral, HAES-aligned nutrition services.

Source: nedc.com.au