Content warning: this article discusses eating disorders. If you need support for disordered eating or body image issues, you can contact Butterfly Foundation’s national helpline on 1800 33 4673, or you can chat online.
Marika Day: How to recognise signs of an eating disorder
ARTICLE
25 November 2021
5 mins read
5 mins read
We talk to dietitian and AIA Vitality Ambassador Marika Day about how to recognise signs of an eating disorder, and where to find support.
Over one million Australians are living with an eating disorder, as reported by Butterfly Foundation, a national charity for those impacted by eating disorders and body image issues. Alarmingly, less than a quarter are getting any treatment or support.
“People don’t think of eating disorders as a mental health condition, when they really are,” says Marika Day. “It’s not the individual’s choice to have an eating disorder.”
What are eating disorders?
There are many types of eating disorders included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. However, four of them relate to the weight and shape concerns we tend to associate with these conditions: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating and OSFED (other specified feeding and eating disorders). This last category encompasses symptoms that are similar to – but not the same as – one or more eating disorder(s).
While more common in teenagers and young adults, anyone can develop an eating disorder regardless of age, gender or culture.
Eating disorders versus disordered eating
Though not recognised as a diagnosable eating disorder, disordered eating is a type of behaviour that can be indicative of more serious issues.
“If you look at eating as a spectrum, you’ve got healthy behaviours on one end, and diagnosable eating disorders on the other,” Marika explains. “Disordered eating falls towards the end of diagnosable disorders. They haven’t been diagnosed, yet they’ve got the signs and symptoms that could potentially lead to an eating disorder, such as bingeing, skipping meals, avoiding food groups, using diet pills, purging or taking laxatives.”
Five beliefs about eating disorders, put to the test
While, unfortunately, eating disorders are quite common, they’re not often spoken about openly. This silence means there’s a lot of misconceptions about the subject.
We spoke with Ranjani Utpala, Clinical Director at Butterfly Foundation to examine some of these beliefs.
1. Eating disorders are a lifestyle choice
“My response to that is a very emphatic no. By characterising them as lifestyle choices, it undermines and underplays their seriousness, while placing a lot of responsibility, judgement and even shame on the person experiencing these serious mental health conditions. Eating disorders are complex psychiatric illnesses with very serious medical and psychological consequences that people don't choose to have.”
2. Eating disorders only affect young women
“Historically, eating disorders have been more common in females. However, the more we understand mental health and reduce stigma associated with help-seeking for eating disorders, the more we are learning that eating disorders do present in males and non-binary individuals. Eating disorders can affect anyone regardless of their age, gender, sex and sexual orientation – they don't discriminate, and they can develop or re-emerge at any age.”
3. Eating disorders are simply a form of ‘extreme dieting’
“While dieting is known to be a risk factor that predisposes people to develop an eating disorder, eating disorders can’t be characterised as ‘extreme dieting’. It is important to understand that they are serious illnesses that require timely and appropriate treatment.”
4. People who are of average weight can’t have an eating disorder
“This is a particularly dangerous myth – it leads to low rates of identification and intervention for many people diagnosed with eating disorders. In the general public, when people think of eating disorders, it usually evokes the image of anorexia nervosa, which often has an obvious and visible marker of being extremely low weight. However, it’s important to recognise that other eating disorders exist which affect different body sizes and their prevalence rates tend to be higher than those of anorexia nervosa.”
5. Genetics play a role in developing an eating disorder
“This is actually true. Research indicates genetics can play a substantial role in the development of eating disorders. The genes most implicated in passing on eating disorders are within biological systems related to food intake, appetite, metabolism, mood, and reward-pleasure responses. It’s been shown this genetic influence isn’t simply due to the inheritance of any one gene, but results from a more complicated interaction between genes and non-inherited genetic factors.”
AIA Vitality members can also support Butterfly Foundation directly by donating their weekly Active Benefits to the organisation. Lean More.
The dangers of diet culture
Based on her experience as a dietitian, Marika believes many Australians are living with an undiagnosed eating disorder. “I would say there are a lot of people out there with a diagnosable eating disorder, yet they have not sought help because they think what they’re doing is normal because of diet culture.”
Diet culture is particularly dangerous because, as Marika puts it, “It’s this idea that being fat equals bad, so there’s a constant strive to be skinny. But really, we should all be striving for health.”
Recognising the signs
If you’re worried about a friend or family member who may be struggling with an eating disorder, there are some specific signs to look out for. Evidence of binge eating might be finding excessive amounts of food wrappers and packaging in the bin; evidence of vomiting can present as swollen glands, or yellowing and decaying teeth; evidence of laxative abuse may be noticing someone making frequent trips to the toilet.
There are also behavioural signs, such as becoming obsessive around food planning and preparation, or making excuses to avoid eating. Wearing baggy clothes is common for people trying to hide their bodies, as is excessively focussing on body shape, size and checking reflections in mirrors and windows.
“Even if you’re eating your morning green smoothie in a regimented way, that could become a problem,” explains Marika. “It’s not a healthy behaviour if it’s impacting your quality of life or causing you stress or anxiety.”
How you can help
Starting a conversation with a loved one you’re concerned about can be difficult, so it’s important to remain open and free of judgement.
“You don’t want to shame the person in any way,” Marika says. “Use ‘I’ statements, such as ‘I’ve noticed you’re a bit anxious around dinner time.’ Or, ‘I’ve noticed you often go to the bathroom straight after dinner, would you like to tell me about what might be going on?’”
Ultimately, try to encourage and support your loved one to seek help. There are many resources available, but Butterfly Foundation is a great place to start. You could also offer to go with them to see a GP, psychologist or dietitian, depending on what’s right for them.
“Give them the options and space to have that conversation, and let them know you’re there for them,” Marika says.
If you have body image or eating concerns, for you or a loved one, visit butterfly.org.au for information, resources, or to access the Butterfly National Helpline.
Marika Day
Marika Day is a nutritionist and Accredited Practising Dietitian who knows what the body needs to function at its best. With more than five years’ experience in the health and fitness industry, Marika's holistic approach to diet and exercise is tried and true. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.
Disclaimer:
This is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a financial adviser, or medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.
This is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a financial adviser, or medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.
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