Eating Disorder Myths Examined

By Lucy Boyd RN BSN, Fri, December 10, 2010

CBS News is casting a glimpse into the world of eating disorders by publishing an extensive article about the myths surrounding anorexia nervosa and bulimia. It takes aim at the myth that people with anorexia are thin. While most anorexia suffers are, indeed, below body weight, it’s also possible for people of normal weight to have anorexia, particularly if they were formerly overweight. Rather, anorexia is a disorder of body perception, meaning a thin person or a person of normal weight thinks they are fat.

Another debunked myth involves the idea that all sufferers are women, and usually young women. According to the article, men, children and the elderly can all fall victim to an eating disorder. A point of controversy exists in the article’s claim that dieting is a risky endeavor and that healthy eating and regular exercise should be stressed instead. Some clinicians will find fault with this as a blanket statement, due to dieting’s ability to lower body weight and mortality risk for individuals with obesity, diabetes and heart disease. The point made is true, however: Dieting often causes an unhealthy obsession with weight and caloric intake in those vulnerable to developing an eating disorder.

If you or someone you love may be suffering from an eating disorder, seek help from a mental health provider or family physician. Untreated eating disorders can have fatal outcomes.

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