Can You Have an Eating Disorder Without Being Underweight? Yes. Here's Why.
Can You Have an Eating Disorder Without Being Underweight? Yes. Here's Why.
"I'm not underweight... so maybe I don't really have an eating disorder."
Unfortunately, this is one of the most common things I hear from people in clinic.
Many people believe that you have to be visibly thin or underweight to have an eating disorder. It's a myth that stops countless people from seeking support because they convince themselves they're "not sick enough." Or they might have even been convinced by those around them.
The truth?
Eating disorders are mental illnesses, not weight disorders.
Most People With an Eating Disorder Are Not Underweight
Here's something that surprises almost everyone.
Only around 6% of people diagnosed with an eating disorder have anorexia nervosa. The remaining 94% live with other eating disorders, including binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, OSFED (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder) and ARFID.
And that statistic is likely an underestimate.
Many people living in larger bodies never receive an eating disorder diagnosis because their symptoms are overlooked. Instead of recognising restrictive eating, compulsive exercise or rapid weight loss as warning signs, these behaviours are often praised.
This is one of the many ways weight stigma and fatphobia affect healthcare.
Eating Disorder Severity Has Nothing to Do With Body Size
When healthcare professionals assess an eating disorder, we don't determine its severity based on the number on the scales.
Instead, we look at questions like:
How much time does the eating disorder take up each day?
How distressed do you feel around food?
How much is it impacting your relationships, work or study?
How difficult is it to challenge the behaviours?
What medical complications are present?
Someone can be medically and psychologically unwell while living in a larger body.
Weight alone tells us very little.
What Do Eating Disorder Behaviours Look Like?
Eating disorder behaviours can include:
Restricting food or skipping meals.
Binge eating.
Self-induced vomiting.
Misusing laxatives or other compensatory behaviours.
Compulsive or excessive exercise.
Obsessively counting calories or tracking food.
Eliminating entire food groups without medical reason.
Avoiding social situations because food is involved.
Feeling overwhelming guilt, anxiety or shame after eating.
Constant body checking or frequent weighing.
Spending hours thinking about food, your body or exercise.
For some people, these behaviours are obvious.
For many others, they're completely invisible.
If You're Wondering Whether You're "Sick Enough"
If your days are consumed by food rules, if eating causes anxiety, if your thoughts constantly revolve around food, exercise or your body, if your quality of life has been affected...
You deserve support.
Not when you've lost more weight. Not when someone else notices. Not when you finally feel "sick enough."
Now.
Because you don't have to look a certain way to have an eating disorder, and you don't have to prove you're struggling before you deserve help.
Recovery is available to people of every body size. Here at the Wholebeing co, we’re specialist dietitians in this area. Reach out today for support and a helping hand.