Chapter 2: Basic Nutrition 28 Eating Disorders / Disordered Eating While nurturing our bodies through sound nutrition and exercise is wise practice, we must recognize there is a fine line between a healthy relationship with food and exercise and a disordered one. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for some individuals to innocently embark upon a weight loss journey and end up with an eating disorder. Disordered eating can lead to serious health complications like malnourishment and altered levels of various bodily hormones. Some of the key warning signs of disordered eating include: • Obsessing over calories • Constantly tracking food and/or exercise • Withdrawing from social situations involving food • Feeling out of control about food • Believing food must be earned through exercise • Only eating “clean” • Disordered view of body image • Extreme desire to be thin Weight is not the only clinical risk factor for developing an eating disorder. For example, certain personality types, sports, and professions can be more likely to develop eating disorders than others (e.g., individuals diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), gymnasts and other aesthetic sport athletes). It is also worth mentioning that some individuals may not meet the criteria for an eating disorder, but follow a pattern of disordered eating. Unfortunately, the consequences of disordered eating often go unnoticed, even by seasoned medical professionals. As a result, individuals with an eating disorder may not recognize the gravity of the situation until after serious health complications arise. Therefore, early detection, prevention, and treatment are essential. Additionally, it is important to seek help from qualified medical professionals as soon as some of the early warning signs of disordered eating have been detected. Education on how to identify, eliminate, and reduce contributing factors for disordered eating is an effective prevention strategy. Other strategies include limiting negative social media intake, avoiding fad diets, and developing a healthy relationship with exercise and sports (e.g., focus on developing various skills rather than on weight or body composition).
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