Eating disorders

What Are They?

Eating disorders are not the same for everyone. There are many kinds of eating disorders, too. But what are eating disorders, anyway?

Eating disorders are when people do not eat a healthy amount of food, they are preoccupied with their weight/body image, engage in certain behaviours excessively (weighing oneself, exercising, eating, fasting, etc), and/or they have uncomfortable emotions regarding food and eating.

People with eating disorders might also have what is called body dysmorphia. Body dysmorphia is when the person has a distorted view of what their body looks like. For example, someone with body dysmorphia might view themselves as a lot heavier than they are. This can lengthen their eating disorder. A person can have an eating disorder at any weight, shape, or size.

Myths / Facts Section

MYTH - If someone is slender, they are healthy.

FACT – Being “skinny” does not mean a person is necessarily healthy.

Society places value on being slender. The current body standards are measured by often unrealistic body standards, but these beauty standards do not necessarily reflect health and wellness. Because of society’s view of being skinny, people think slender or skinny means healthy. Weight does not always indicate health. People can be slender and have many illnesses and diseases, as well.

Society’s view of weight shifts and changes. Did you know that there was a time in history when having extra curves was the desirable look? Try not to get caught up in what society says about these expectations and live your life to be happy and healthy.

MYTH - If a person is seemingly overweight, they must have a binge eating disorder.

FACT – Weight is influenced by many different factors.

A person can be overweight because of various things. There is often judgement against people who have extra weight because society values thinness and associates it with ambition, health, and wellness. People assume those who have extra weight are lazy and do not take care of themselves. Weight is influenced by many different things, such as genetics, medication, health concerns/issues, activity level, and diet. Being overweight does not mean the person eats too much or is unhealthy.

MYTH - Fad diets are healthy.

FACT – Fad diets can be extremely harmful and are not rooted in proper nutrition.

Fads diets seem like an enticing way to lose weight quickly. They promise a shortchange in diet with amazing results. They often cut out a specific group of food which can result in not getting the necessary nutrients. This is not healthy. In addition to not being a healthy option to lose weight, fad diets do not help a person develop better eating habits. Once a person has lost weight and quits the fad diet, they will often gain it back.

MYTH - Counting calories is healthy.

FACT – Counting calories is misguided and not all calories are the same.

Weight loss has been guided by counting calories for years. It seems like a logical way to lose or maintain weight, but counting calories is outdated. While it may seem like a good way to manage weight, it neglects the fact that calories are not the same. Consider 100 calories of carrots and fresh hummus versus 100 calories of deep-fried chicken wings. They will not contain the same amount/types of nutrients, fats, and minerals. The calories will be derived from different types of energies. More successful ways to manage health include food quality (whole foods, lean meat, vegetables, and fruits), exercise, sleeping well, managing stress levels, and consulting a professional/doctor (for help losing weight and consultation about medications/conditions which could cause weight gain).

MYTH - People will grow out of their eating disorders.

FACT – Eating disorders are not something a person outgrows. They need professional help and intervention.

Eating disorders are very complex. If they are left untreated, it can be dangerous. If an eating disorder is treated early, there is a greater chance the person will recover. It can be scary to talk about or seek help for an eating disorder, but it is important. Not addressing it can have dangerous consequences. Hoping a person will grow out of an eating disorder or not talking about it perpetuates the shame surrounding it.

MYTH - Everyone has some sort of eating disorder.

FACT – Not everyone has had or has an eating disorder.

Eating disorders impact approximately 1 million Canadians.

MYTH - Eating disorders are not serious.

FACT – Eating disorders are very harmful and can result in death.

Eating disorders have harmful effects. Disordered eating impacts many body systems. When someone is not eating enough calories, their body starts to break itself down for fuel. This breakdown weakens the system and makes the person more vulnerable to other health issues. If someone is purging (example: throwing up after eating), this reduces the nutrients, fluids, and electrolytes the person is absorbing. Purging also comes with damage to the body, including eroded teeth/esophagus, stomach pain/rupture, constipation, intestinal obstructions, and more. If someone has been binge eating, this can result in added stress to the body system.

Eating disorders are very damaging to the body. It is not a healthy way to lose weight. It can result in death as the damage to the body can be very severe.

MYTH - Children do not worry about their body image and weight.

FACT – Children can be preoccupied with their weight and develop eating disorders, too.

Children are aware of body image and weight. Research has found that children as young as 3 can have issues with body image and how they see themselves. Adults play an important role in promoting positive self-esteem and body image. They can help develop a healthy body image. It is important to develop this foundation of acceptance to help combat the negative messages perpetuated by the media.

MYTH - Eating disorders only impact females.

FACT – Eating disorders are not gendered. They impact all genders.

Eating disorders can impact anyone, regardless of age, employment status, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, relationship status, or background. Statistically, females are impacted 10 times more frequently than males. This does not take away the fact there are males who have an eating disorder. Some studies suggest 10-15% of individuals with anorexia or bulimia are male. People who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ are at a higher risk of developing an eating disorder.

What could cause someone to have an eating disorder?

This is a challenging question to answer. There is no simple answer. The weight-loss industry has been benefitting from people feeling bad about themselves and their bodies. This shift has created an environment that contributes to eating disorders or disordered eating. In addition to society’s/media’s influences on eating disorders, other influences can be family dynamics, self-worth, and life stressors.

What Does It Look Like?

There are many different signs of eating disorders.

Some examples include:

Fixating on weight or body image
Body dysmorphia (feeling like they are overweight when they are not)
Ignoring the seriousness of their weight
Low self-esteem or their self-esteem is dependent on their weight
Preoccupied with food, dieting, and body image
Limiting how much they eat
Problems with or withdrawing from relationships
Digestive problems
Passing out or tiredness
Avoiding mealtimes
Exercising excessively
Repeated binging (eating large amounts of food in one sitting)
Feeling loss of control while eating
Vomiting or exercising after binging/going to the bathroom right after eating
Using weight loss products
Very concerned with the ingredients of food and the nutritional facts
Avoiding foods that are not healthy or “pure”
Concerned with what other people are eating
Thinking about the food at upcoming events
Upset when “healthy” or “safe” foods are not available
Shame or guilt about eating/behaviour
Eating when not hungry
Eating alone to hide the shame or embarrassment
Frequently dieting with little results

Remember, people with eating disorders might not gain or lose weight. They could look like they have a “healthy” weight.

What To Do if You are Struggling With an Eating Disorder?

Most people struggle with self-worth and body image at some point in their lives. If you feel like your feelings about your body/weight/size are unhealthy and you are having a hard time dealing with it, it is important to reach out for help.

Remember, it is okay not to be okay. Everyone has hard times. It takes a very strong person to admit they are not doing well. It is about seeking help when you are not doing well.
Tell someone you trust. Find someone you trust who will help you connect with help. You deserve to feel better and get help! Talk to someone you trust about your struggles. There is no shame in asking for help. Asking for help is a great sign of strength. You deserve to feel good about yourself. If reaching out for professional help makes you anxious (don’t worry! that is normal), ask a loved one to support you in connecting with help. Help could be a counselor, doctor, elder, social worker, or spiritual leader.
Take care of yourself. Make healthy choices for your mental health and practice positive coping skills. Find people who support you.
Remember, you’ve got this! You deserve to feel happy and healthy.

In addition to seeking professional help and reaching out, there are many things you can do to support your mental health. Check out the wellness tips below or the wellness sessions.

How to Help Someone Who Tells You They are Struggling?

When someone tells you they are struggling, it can be scary and hard to know what to say. That is a terrifying thing. It is easy to become caught up in emotions. Many people fear saying the wrong thing. We often want to try to fix our friend’s problems or counsel them, but that is not your job. Your main job is to tell someone and connect your friend to help.

The following are some guidelines as to what to do when your friend tells you they are struggling and how to handle those difficult conversations. There is a good chance your friend will talk to you before they talk to their parents/guardians. This is not to counsel the person. This is to get the person connected with a helping professional. Please remember the conversation will not be linear like on the page. These are guidelines of some things to consider.

Take a deep breath and stay calm

The person is telling you something scary and personal to them. This is terrifying for both of you. Take that moment to gather yourself and take a deep breath.

Listen to the person

Give the person the time and consideration you would like if you were struggling. Be the friend you would like if you were the one needing help by giving your friend your full attention. They deserve it. It will also help you know what your friend is trying to tell you. While you are listening, be understanding and compassionate. Give your friend the space to talk.

- Do not judge your friend. What they are coping with might not seem like a big deal to you, but it is to them. Therefore, it is valid.
  1. Sometimes when someone tells us how they are struggling, we react with anger or judgement because we are scared. We might say something like “Oh my goodness! How could you say/think something so stupid?”; “Don’t be dumb”; or “How could you say something like that?”. As you can imagine, this is not helpful for your friend. What your friend hears is “you are stupid/dumb.”
- Do not interrupt your friend. Being interrupted is very frustrating. It can make the person feel like they are not being heard.
- Put your phone down! Have you ever talked to someone who is on their phone, and they don’t hear a word you say? It can be very frustrating. Treat your friend with the respect they deserve.
- Be the best friend you can be and the person you would like if you were in that situation.

Help the person think of who they can tell and support them in seeking help

Your friend needs to get help. This is not something you can deal with without professional/adult help. Sometimes, it can feel like adults do not listen or take problems seriously, but this is something you need to talk to an adult about. Help your friend think of someone they trust.

Try saying something like, “Have you thought about who else you could talk to about this?”

“Have you told anyone else?”

“Who do you feel comfortable talking to about this?”

“Okay let’s find you some help. Who do you feel comfortable telling?”

If they feel like they have no one they can trust, talk to someone you trust. Thinking of who to talk to can be really challenging when you are struggling because it can feel so lonely. If your friend is having a hard time thinking of someone to talk to, help connect them with resources, like a school counselor or family liaison worker. You can also offer your friend some helplines they can call when they are struggling. If you are comfortable, you can also offer to go with your friend to talk to the adult. If the first person you tell does not listen, tell someone else.

Do not keep it a secret

If your friend asks you to keep it a secret, you cannot keep it a secret. There are things we keep secret for friends, like their crush or that embarrassing story they swore you to secrecy about, but there are three instances where you must break your friend’s confidence. Eating disorders have many negative health consequences.

They are going to harm themself.
They are going to harm someone else.
They are being harmed by someone.

Get help for you too

Talking to a friend who is struggling is challenging. Talk to someone about it to help cope with the stress of the situation. This does not mean gossip, but using your own support system. Practice self-care. Do something you enjoy. For self-care ideas, visit the self-care section here.

Sometimes, people will not want to talk to you. That is okay. It is their choice. Simply let them know you are there to talk if they need someone and give them resources, like hotlines they can call whenever they want to talk to someone.