Recognizing Disordered Eating: Spotting Signs & Symptoms

Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. The content in this blog is for informational purposes only.

Eating is a fundamental part of life that should be enjoyable and stress-free. When thoughts about food, calories, and body weight become all-consuming, you are at risk of disordered eating. In this blog, we will explore disordered eating vs eating disorders, delve into risk factors, and highlight the key signs to watch out for.

Disordered eating vs eating disorders

Disordered eating describes a range of unhealthy thoughts and behaviours related to food, exercise, and body image. Examples include:

• Restrictive eating

• Yo-yo dieting

• Rigid food/exercise routines driven by feelings of unworthiness

• Obsessive thoughts about food and body image

• Feeling out of control around food

• Emotional distress when a food/exercise rule is broken

Disordered eating falls on a spectrum between normal eating and clinically diagnosed eating disorders. The difference between disordered eating and eating disorders is the frequency and intensity of symptoms. To be diagnosed with an eating disorder, you must be assessed by a healthcare professional and meet diagnostic criteria. The absence of a clinical diagnosis should not downplay the significance of disordered eating. Timely intervention can significantly impact recovery. Unfortunately, many individuals living with disordered eating/eating disorders remain unaware due to the pervasive influence of diet culture, which normalizes many of these thoughts and behaviours. Dieting is the most common trigger for disordered eating.

Spotting signs of disordered eating/eating disorders

Social and Emotional Cues

• Frequent discussions about weight/shape/diet

• Self-worth is largely attached to food, exercise, and body image

• Rigid food/exercise rules with emotional distress if a rule is broken

• Avoidance of eating around others

• Socially withdrawal, especially from events involving food

• Mood swings/increased anxiety

• Difficulty concentrating or brain fog

Behaviour Cues

• Frequent and prolonged dieting, including meal skipping, fasting, undereating, fixating on “good/bad” foods, diet pills, detox teas

• A strong need for control over food, i.e. avoiding meals that are not self-prepared

• Compensatory behaviors, to “make up” for eating, such as excessive exercise, food restriction, fasting, or purging

• Binge eating, characterized by a loss of control around food and marked emotional distress

Physical Cues

• Feeling dizzy when going from sitting to standing

• Hair and skin changes

• Persistent weight fluctuations. Note: only 6% of individuals with eating disorders are underweight

• Digestion disturbances including, acid-reflux, stomach discomfort, increased gas, constipation/diarrhea

• Irregular menstrual patterns in individuals with a uterus

• Abnormal laboratory findings including low iron, anemia, hormonal imbalances, electrolyte disturbances, atypical blood counts, and blood sugar irregularities

• Low blood pressure

• Slowed heartbeat

• Dental problems

• Fainting and seizures

Note: These are examples of common signs/symptoms, this is not an all-inclusive list. You do not need to experience all of these to suffer from disordered eating, it varies greatly from person to person.

Risk factors

• Childhood trauma, neglect, or abuse

• Distressing emotions and limited healthy coping skills

• Personality traits like perfectionism and impulsivity

• Cultural ideals that promote certain bodies as more worthy

• Mental health conditions, including, anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, and BPD

• Family history of disordered eating or eating disorders.

• Occupations and activities that push for certain physical attributes

Resources 

If you have concerns about your eating behaviors or those of someone you care about, reaching out to a healthcare provider early can prevent the situation from escalating. Timely recognition and intervention can make a substantial difference in one's journey to recovery.

Reputable resources for more information: National Eating Disorders Association or the National Eating Disorder Information Centre

Written by: Violet Pham, Nutrition Student & Mackenzie Michalczuk, Registered Dietitian

References

Pereira, R. F., & Alvarenga, M. (2007). Disordered eating: identifying, treating, preventing, and differentiating it from eating disorders. Diabetes Spectrum, 20(3), 141-148

Neumark-Sztainer, D., Wall, M., Larson, N. I., Eisenberg, M. E., & Loth, K. (2011). Dieting and disordered eating behaviors from adolescence to young adulthood: findings from a 10-year longitudinal study. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 111(7), 1004-1011.