Understanding Eating Disorders: Separating Fact From Fiction
- Cope McMaster
- Feb 21
- 5 min read
Written by: Natalie Green & Michelle Premnath
Edited by: Ishleen Thakur & Marcie O’Callaghan
The term eating disorder (ED) is likely not new to you. You’ve probably heard about it before, or maybe you or someone you know has struggled with one. In fact, between 2000 and 2018, the prevalence of eating disorders increased from 3.5% to 7.8%, and is continuing to rise (NEDA, 2025). Additionally, roughly 22% of the population, including children and adults, show disordered eating worldwide (NEDA, 2025). Despite this, an intense amount of stigma surrounds this concept. The best way we can reduce stigma is by educating ourselves and those around us, ensuring that everyone feels heard no matter their struggles.
What are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are generally defined as a complex subset of mental health disorders which have physical manifestations. They are commonly characterized by repeated, persistent disturbances in body image and emotions related to food and weight. There are many factors that contribute to the development of an eating disorder, but within this categorization, there are three broad categories of risk factors:
Biological: refers to an individual's physiology, as well as their genetic make-up
Psychological: includes the ways individual’s deal with emotion, pre-existing mental health conditions, past trauma and cognitive factors
Social and Cultural: an individual's upbringing, social and peer pressures, family influences and media expectations
This combination of factors is commonly referred to as the biopsychosocial model, and sheds light on how our biological, psychological and social experiences interact to ultimately shape our life experiences (Bolton, D, 2021).
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) provides diagnostic criteria for a variety of eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, avoidant and restrictive food intake disorder, binge eating disorder, and other specified eating or feeding disorders. Each classified disorder has a different presentation and each person’s symptoms will manifest differently. The types which are most known are, anorexia nervosa, which is commonly classified by severe food restriction and a fear of gaining weight. Bulimia nervosa, marked by periods of binge-eating followed by a form of purging. And finally, binge eating disorder, which has similar eating behaviors to bulimia nervosa, but is not followed by purging behaviour. The other types are not as well known, and further emphasizes the unique ways an eating disorder can manifest.
What are the Symptoms of Eating Disorders?
Symptoms of eating disorders can vary greatly depending on the type of eating disorder you have. Generally, symptoms include:
Spending a lot of time worrying about your weight & body shape
Avoiding socializing when you think food will be involved
Eating very little food
Making yourself sick/taking laxatives after you eat
Exercising too much
Having very strict habits/routines around food
Changes in your mood, such as anxiety or depression
Physical symptoms can include:
Feeling cold, tired, or dizzy
Pains, tingling, or numbness in arms and legs, due to poor circulation
Heart racing, fainting/feeling faint
Problems with digestion such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
Weight being very high or low regarding your height and weight
Not getting menstrual cycle/other delayed signs of puberty
What are some Myths Regarding Eating Disorders?
There are many myths regarding eating disorders, especially with how they are portrayed in the media. So let’s take some time to debunk them!
Eating Disorders are solely about physical appearance, and can be identified through appearance alone
Eating Disorders have many facets to them, and viewing it in such a manner does not align with its complexity. ED’s often do involve concerns about physical appearance, but they are rooted in psychological distress. Trauma, anxiety, depression, and perfectionism are all factors that can contribute to ED’s. Additionally, the notion that ED’s are only tied to body image and physical appearance is not entirely true. It definitely can be, but this does not define an ED, and may not be what manifests an ED. Food can often be a method of coping for individuals with deeper issues.
Eating Disorders are a Choice
It is incorrect that people are choosing to have an ED. ED’s are influenced by many factors, including genetics, environment, trauma, cultural & societal pressures, and many other factors that contribute to that cycle. Individuals are not choosing to have an ED, and the hardships and commitment to address the many factors that may be contributing to that ED is not an easy process.
Recovery = Eating Normally Again
Normalizing eating patterns is definitely an important part of recovery from an ED, but recovery also entails healing the emotional struggles, making healthy coping mechanisms, and ultimately addressing the root cause of the ED. It is also important to acknowledge that eating normally again does not mean that healing is done, as healing is rarely linear and setbacks are a completely normal part of recovery. Recovery means healing that emotional side, and rebuilding your relationship with food and your body.
How do Myths Impact Public Perception & Treatment Outcomes?
By stigmatizing and oversimplifying eating disorders, society discourages treatment and reinforces harmful misconceptions. There are many judgments surrounding body types, and individuals who do not fit the stereotypical image are less likely to reach out for help. Specifically because they may feel as though they have not become “sick enough” to warrant treatment (Polivy & Herman, 2002). Additionally, beliefs that eating disorders are simply about vanity and body image oversimplify the struggle, and completely ignores the deep-rooted mental, physiological, genetic and emotional factors that lead to their development. This may lead to an individual feeling invalidated or shameful for the thoughts and symptoms they are experiencing.
These misconceptions may contribute to self-stigma and shame which ultimately increases their risk of serious medical complications and developing comorbid mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. This only further emphasizes the importance of ED education to reduce the stigma and empower those struggling to reach out.
Resources for Students:
National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC): The Eating Disorder Information Center is a really great resource. It provides a brief explanation of each type of eating disorder and many resources for individuals to utilize. https://nedic.ca/
National Initiative for Eating Disorder (NIED): NIED aims to reduce the stigma worldwide, brings attention to, provides education on the chronic and long lasting effects of eating disorders. https://www.nied.ca/
Good2Talk: Is a helpline which provides free, confidential support 24/7 for anyone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. https://good2talk.ca/
Student Wellness Center - McMaster: Provides counselling and medical care to students attending McMaster University. Appointments can be made by calling this number: 905-525-9140 x27700 https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/
References
Bolton, D. (2022, July 4). Looking forward to a decade of the Biopsychosocial Model: Bjpsych bulletin. Cambridge Core. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-bulletin/article/looking-forward-to-a-decade-of-the-biopsychosocial-model/374EF97169960EDE8984FA356D500648
Eating disorder statistics. National Eating Disorders Association. (2024, September 12). https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics/
Eating disorders & treatment. NEDIC. (n.d.). https://nedic.ca/eating-disorders-treatment/
NHS. (n.d.). NHS choices. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/eating-disorders/overview/
Polivy, J., & Herman, C. P. (2002, February 1). Causes of eating disorders. Annual Review of Psychology. https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev.psych.53.100901.135103
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