For individuals with an eating disorder, support from loved ones or even professional help (a general practitioner or mental health professional) is extremely important. The sooner a person begins treatment, the greater the likelihood of full recovery. Sometimes, people display problematic eating patterns that resemble symptoms of an eating disorder but do not meet the guidelines for diagnosing an eating disorder. However, these problematic eating patterns can still seriously affect health and well-being. Many people with eating disorders may not believe they need treatment. One of the main characteristics of many eating disorders is a lack of awareness of the severity of the symptoms. Feelings of guilt and shame can also prevent people from seeking help. If you are concerned about a friend or family member, encourage them to talk to a healthcare provider. Even if the person is not ready to acknowledge the problem with food, you can start the conversation by expressing your concern for their health and then listening to them.
Warning signs that may indicate an eating disorder include:
- Avoiding meals or snacks or making excuses not to eat.
- Very restricted eating (unless prescribed by a doctor).
- Excessive focus on food or healthy eating, especially if it leads to avoiding events such as sports banquets, eating birthday cakes, or dining out.
- Preparing their own meals instead of eating food prepared by the family.
- Withdrawing from usual social activities.
- Frequent and persistent worries or complaints about being unhealthy or overweight and talking about losing weight.
- Frequently checking the mirror for perceived flaws.
- Repeated consumption of large quantities of food.
- Using dietary supplements, laxatives, or herbal products for weight loss.
- Excessive exercise, including not resting or taking days off due to injury or illness, or refusing to participate in social or life events to prioritize exercise.
- Problems with tooth enamel loss, which may indicate repeated vomiting.
- Going to the bathroom during or immediately after every meal.
- Talking about depression, disgust, shame, or guilt regarding eating habits.
- Eating in secret.
Anyone can struggle with an eating disorder. They often begin in adolescence and early adulthood, but they can also occur at any other stage of life. Certain factors can increase the risk of developing an eating disorder, including:
- Family history: Eating disorders are more common in people whose parents or siblings have had an eating disorder.
- Other mental health issues: Trauma, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other mental health problems can increase the likelihood of developing an eating disorder.
- Dieting and fasting: Frequent dieting poses a risk for an eating disorder, especially if weight constantly fluctuates when trying new diets. Many eating disorder symptoms are related to starvation. Starvation negatively affects the brain and can cause changes in mood, lack of energy, rigid thinking, anxiety, and a long-term reduced appetite. This can lead to severely restricted eating or persistent unhealthy eating patterns, making it difficult to return to healthy eating habits.
- A history of teasing or bullying about weight: People who have been teased or bullied about their weight are more likely to have eating problems and eating disorders. This includes people who have felt ashamed of their weight by peers, healthcare professionals, coaches, teachers, or family members.
- Stress: Whether it's going to college, moving, getting a new job, or family and relationship problems, major life changes can lead to stress, which can increase the risk of developing an eating disorder.
There is, unfortunately, no guaranteed way to prevent eating disorders, but a person struggling with an eating disorder can take steps to develop healthy eating habits.
Preventive steps for adults:
To develop healthy eating habits and lifestyle behaviors, choose a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Limit salt, sugar, alcohol, saturated fats, and trans fats. Avoid extreme diets. If you want to lose weight, consult your healthcare provider or a dietitian to create a plan that suits your needs. Do not use dietary supplements, laxatives, or herbal products for weight loss. Be more physically active. Engage in at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking or light jogging. Choose activities that you enjoy so that you will look forward to doing them. Ensure your well-being, healthy interpersonal relationships, and maintaining a positive body image.Preventive steps for children:
Avoid dieting in front of your child. Family eating habits can influence the relationship children develop with food. Eating meals together allows you to teach your child about the pitfalls of dieting. It also allows you to see if your child is eating enough and consuming a varied diet. Encourage and strengthen a healthy body image in your child, regardless of their body shape or weight. Do not criticize your own body in front of your child. Acceptance and respect can help build healthy self-esteem and strengthen resilience—the ability to recover quickly from difficult events. These skills can help children navigate the challenging periods of adolescence and early adulthood.The most effective treatment for an eating disorder involves a holistic or team approach. The team usually includes a general practitioner, a mental health professional, and sometimes a dietitian. Treatment depends on the specific type of eating disorder but generally includes:
- Learning about proper nutrition.
- Learning to develop healthy eating habits.
- Guidance on achieving a healthy weight if the person is underweight.
- Psychotherapy.
- In extreme cases, medication.