National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is a week meant to bring attention to a highly prevalent disorder that comes in many different forms—most of which have devastating effects on people’s health, and in extreme cases, can even lead to death.

According to NEDA, 9% of the U.S. (approximately 30 million people) suffer from an eating disorder. Additionally, the rate of women with eating disorders is over double that of men; still, make no mistake in thinking that either one is more or less important than the other. In fact, 1 person dies roughly every 52 minutes from an eating disorder, while 22% of adolescents show signs of disordered eating.

So, what exactly is an eating disorder? An eating disorder is a term for people with irregular or unhealthy eating habits. There is a difference between disordered eating and people with an eating disorder. People who have disordered eating are born with it; they can’t help it, while people with an eating disorder have a severe mental influence or mindset affecting their eating.

There are many different types, but the one that people tend to think of first is anorexia nervosa, otherwise shortened to anorexia. 

Anorexia is characterized by excessive weight loss and undereating, usually involving a lack of sustainable meals, if any at all. This, along with many other disorders, accompanies body dysmorphia, which is a negative and often inaccurate view of one’s own body (NEDA).

Other eating disorders, however, can be just as prevalent. Different examples include Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Pica, and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).

Bulimia is another dangerous eating disorder involving patterns of binge eating and compensating with purging behaviors, typically self-induced vomiting after meals or binges (NEDA). However, there are dangers associated with constant vomiting, as the acid can wear down the enamel in one’s teeth, even causing the teeth to rot over time.

Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by frequent over-eating, whether it’s more than the average person would, eating when one is not hungry, or eating even after one is full. This disorder is quite common in both adults and children, and it is usually tied to intense feelings of guilt or shame (NEDA).

Pica is a disorder that is often not taken very seriously until it becomes dangerous. People suffering from pica have strong cravings to eat things that are not thought of as food, often with little to no nutritional value. This includes substances such as paint chips, hair, dirt, soap, laundry detergent, and so much more (NEDA). An iron deficiency is often thought to be the cause, but it can lead to health conditions like poisoning or intestinal blockages.

Lastly, ARFID. ARFID is characterized by a lack of food intake because of factors that rarely involve feelings about body weight or size; instead, they have a lack of interest in eating food or have adverse feelings due to extreme sensory issues or fear of consequences like choking or vomiting. ARFID can so detrimentally affect a child or adult’s diet that it causes health issues and nutritional deficiencies later on (NEDA).

Recognizing the warning signs and symptoms of an eating disorder and seeking help early can greatly improve the chances of recovery. This isn’t a checklist, and symptoms may vary across individuals and disorders. Common emotional/behavioral signs and symptoms include: 

• Making excuses to avoid mealtimes or situations involving food
• Refusing to eat certain foods, and often eliminating whole food groups (Carbohydrates, fats, etc.)
• Develops food rituals like excessive chewing, rearranging food, and drinking liquids more than actual food. 
• Extreme mood swings
• Extreme concern with body size and shape

Physical signs and symptoms include the following:

•  Noticeable fluctuations in weight, both up and down
• Irregular menstrual cycle 
• Stomach cramps, other non-specific gastrointestinal complaints (constipation, acid reflux, etc.)
• Dry skin and hair, and brittle nails
• Sleep problems
• Feeling cold all the time

Symptoms can vary, and not every person with an eating disorder will have these symptoms. Every eating disorder has different symptoms. Common signs and symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa are:

• Dramatic weight loss
• Makes frequent comments about feeling “fat.”
• Maintains an excessive, rigid exercise regime – despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury

Common Signs and Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa are:

• Engages in episodes of binge eating large amounts of food in a short period of time, often in secret
• After episodes of binge eating, frequently engage in compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, diuretic/laxative use, fasting/restricting, excessive exercise, or manipulation of insulin dosage
• Drinks excessive amounts of water or non-caloric beverages, and/or uses excessive amounts of mouthwash, mints, and gum

Common Signs and Symptoms of Pica

• The eating of these substances must be developmentally inappropriate
• The persistent eating, over a period of at least one month, of substances that are not food and do not provide nutritional value
• Typical substances ingested tend to vary with age and availability. They may include paper, soap, cloth, hair, string, wool, or ice

Common Signs and Symptoms of Avoidant/ Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

• Although weight loss is not always present in ARFID, dramatic weight loss or faltering growth can signal restrictive eating
• Limited range of preferred foods that becomes narrower over time (i.e., picky eating that progressively worsens)
• Fears of choking or vomiting

How do you help? The best thing to do, as a friend, family/guardian member, or faculty member, is to stay educated on the different types of eating disorders. There are several more that we did not list. Stay empathetic, stay kind, and please don’t force anyone to do anything.