Eating Disorder Myths
Not sure if you have an eating disorder? Not sure what 'counts' as an eating disorder, or unclear about why eating disorders develop? Read on for more information about the reality of eating disorders.
Myth #1
Eating disorders are choices.
Eating disorders are complex medical and psychiatric illnesses that are the byproduct of the interaction of a variety of biological, social, and psychological factors. Eating disorders are survival mechanisms; no one chooses to have an eating disorder.
Myth #2
You have to be underweight/have lost weight to have an eating disorder.
Less than 6% of people with eating disorders are medically diagnosed as "underweight".* Eating disorders are not about weight, though individuals who struggle with eating disorders have often experienced weight loss or weight fluctuations. Eating disorders are identified by the psychological mindset and behaviors that inform them, not a person's body size or shape.
*Arcelus J, Mitchell AJ, Wales J, Nielsen S. Mortality Rates in Patients With Anorexia Nervosa and Other Eating Disorders: A Meta-analysis of 36 Studies. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2011;68(7):724–731. doi:10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.74
Myth #3
Eating disorders aren't that serious.
According to recent reports, 10,200 deaths each year are the direct result of an eating disorder - the equivalent of one death every 52 minutes. Medical complications from binge eating, purging, restriction, over-exercise, and laxative abuse can range from reversible and inconvenient (e.g., cold intolerance) to irreversible (e.g., osteoporosis) or life-threatening (e.g., cardiac failure). Suicide is also the second leading cause of death among those with anorexia nervosa.** People who struggle with eating disorders typically experience significant emotional distress and a poorer quality of life.
**Deloitte Access Economics. The Social and Economic Cost of Eating Disorders in the United States of America: A Report for the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders and the Academy for Eating Disorders. June 2020. Available at: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/striped/report-economic-costs-of-eating-disorders/
​
Smith AR, Zuromski KL, Dodd DR. Eating disorders and suicidality: what we know, what we don't know, and suggestions for future research. Curr Opin Psychol. 2018 Aug;22:63-67. doi: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.08.023. Epub 2017 Aug 12. PMID: 28846874.
Myth #4
Eating disorders only affect thin, white, cisgender, heterosexual women.
Eating disorders do not discriminate. However, our health care models and systems do; women of color are less likely to be asked about eating disorder symptoms by doctors, and people of color are significantly less likely to receive help.*** Eating disorders affect everyone - young and old; LGBTQIA+, straight, and cisgender; fat and thin; and individuals of all racial and ethnic identities.
***Becker AE, Franko DL, Speck A, Herzog DB. Ethnicity and differential access to care for eating disorder symptoms. Int J Eat Disord. 2003 Mar;33(2):205-12. doi: 10.1002/eat.10129. PMID: 12616587.
Marques, L., Alegria, M., Becker, A.E., Chen, C.-n., Fang, A., Chosak, A. and Diniz, J.B. (2011), Comparative prevalence, correlates of impairment, and service utilization for eating disorders across US ethnic groups: Implications for reducing ethnic disparities in health care access for eating disorders. Int. J. Eat. Disord., 44: 412-420. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.20787