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Obesity isn’t the same for everyone. It’s a complex condition caused by many factors. In some cases, an eating disorder can be a reason for unhealthy weight gain, but not always.
Disordered eating stems from harmful beliefs about food and your body. There are several types of eating disorders, and people sometimes assume that those affected are always underweight.
Members of MyObesityTeam have talked about being pushed aside when asking for help. “I hide behind food,” wrote one member. “I tend to eat when I’m in the car driving between clients. I went to my doctor after years of trying to get up the courage to tell her I think I should be referred to an eating disorder clinic. She dismissed it, saying she didn’t know of any clinics, and I really didn’t need that. She had no idea how much courage that took, and that she shot me down in about 30 seconds flat.”
It’s certainly possible to struggle with an eating disorder and obesity at the same time. Unfortunately, doctors don’t always recognize eating disorders as easily when someone has obesity. Learning to recognize the signs can help validate your concerns and find a healthcare provider that’s willing to listen.
Obesity is a medical condition that’s defined by a person’s amount of body fat. It’s associated with a greater risk of health problems, like cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. For some people, obesity starts in childhood. Others develop obesity later in life.
Doctors diagnose obesity based on several factors, including body mass index (BMI). BMI is calculated from height and weight. For children and teens, BMI is interpreted using age- and sex-specific percentiles defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). A BMI value of 30 or higher falls within the obese range. Healthcare providers may also consider factors like metabolic health and waist circumference when making a diagnosis.
Factors that raise the risk of obesity include:
Obesity affects people of all ages. It’s becoming more common around the world. Globally, more people have obesity than are underweight.
Many people with obesity also have malnutrition. Taking in too many calories but not enough key nutrients can cause obesity and malnutrition to develop together. Ultraprocessed foods and sugary drinks promote this problem. These items are high in calories but don’t offer much nutritional value. They don’t have enough fiber, protein, or micronutrients to help support a healthy weight.
Mental health can be part of the obesity puzzle. Anxiety and depression may contribute to habits that promote weight gain. Emotional eating is a common coping mechanism for stress. In addition, some medications for mental disorders cause weight gain as a side effect.
On the other hand, obesity can also take a toll on your mental health. It can affect self-esteem, relationships, and stress levels. People with obesity may feel isolated or experience stigma at work or in their personal lives.
However, not everyone with obesity struggles with their mental health. Some people may experience depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem related to their weight or body image, while others don’t face these challenges.
Eating disorders are psychiatric conditions with physical effects. They cause unhealthy views about eating habits and body image. People with eating disorders become obsessed and anxious about food. As a result, they have abnormal eating behaviors. An eating disorder may cause someone to:
Eating disorders often occur with other mental health conditions. For example, they’re more common in people who have obsessive-compulsive disorder or a substance use disorder.
The new term for eating disorders is “eating and feeding disorders.” There are eight general types. Some of the more well-known eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia.
Anorexia often includes:
Anorexia has one of the highest mortality rates (death rates) among psychiatric disorders. It can lead to heart complications and, in some cases, suicide. With the right care, however, many people recover and go on to live healthy lives.
Like anorexia, bulimia is an eating disorder that often affects adolescents and young adults. It involves a cycle of bingeing and purging. During a binge eating episode, the person feels a loss of control. They eat large amounts of food in a short time and then feel guilty. People with bulimia try to compensate for binges with extreme purging behaviors. They may vomit, take laxatives, or exercise excessively.
The most common eating disorder is binge eating disorder. Unlike in bulimia, binges aren’t followed by purging behaviors. The person doesn’t try to “make up” for the binge, but they often feel ashamed and isolated because of it.
Obesity isn’t an eating disorder, but in some cases, these two conditions are related. Members of MyObesityTeam have shared their struggles with disordered eating habits. “I haven’t officially been diagnosed with an eating disorder, but for a while, I was starving myself. Now I binge eat. I’m not happy with myself but can’t seem to stop,” wrote one member.
Binge eating disorder can increase the risk of obesity. In addition, health experts have started to recognize “atypical” forms of anorexia and other eating disorders in people with obesity. But it’s still an area that needs more awareness.
Eating disorders are often missed in people with obesity. It’s a common myth that eating disorders always lead to severe weight loss. However, up to 45 percent of those seeking treatment for an eating disorder aren’t underweight. They have a BMI that’s considered normal, overweight, or obese.
Obesity is a general term that describes a person’s body weight and related health risks. The term “obesity” doesn’t reflect anything about a person’s mental state — it only defines their weight and potential metabolic issues.
Eating disorders are psychological conditions with physical consequences. Eating and exercise patterns are disrupted. The person’s self-esteem and the way they think about food, body fat, and thinness are damaging.
If you think that you or your loved one has an eating disorder, get help from a healthcare provider. Talk to your primary care doctor or meet with a mental health professional. Eating disorders can significantly impact quality of life and lead to severe consequences. But with the right support, recovery is possible.
Members of MyObesityTeam have discussed eating disorder treatment. “The meeting with the eating disorder place went well,” said one member. “It was to assess whether or not I have binge eating disorder and give me information on what will happen. Basically, it’s a group therapy session that will last for six weeks (every other week). I found out that I do have the disorder. Now I have to wait for others to join.”
Eating disorder treatment includes psychotherapy to reshape unhealthy thoughts. Weight-loss goals may need to go on hold to focus on mental health first.
Obesity and eating or feeding disorders are different but can sometimes overlap. Both can affect physical and emotional health, and both deserve understanding and care. If you’re worried about your relationship with food or your body, talk with a trusted health professional. You can also connect with others on MyObesityTeam who understand what you’re going through.
On MyObesityTeam, people share their experiences with obesity, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
Has your life been affected by obesity or an eating disorder? Let others know in the comments below.
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