Subtle changes in eating habits can sometimes be a cause for concern.
Rogers Behavioral Health’s Dr. Jody Langford, MD, medical director, Eating Disorder Recovery Center for adolescents and child and adolescent inpatient Eating Disorder Recovery, explains what disordered eating is and when it may be time to get support.
What is disordered eating?
Disordered eating is a pattern of eating behaviors that fall outside what we’d consider typical or balanced, but they haven’t developed into a diagnosable eating disorder.
Someone may be eating enough overall, maintaining a stable weight, and not having medical complications. But their eating habits, thoughts, or rules around food may still be rigid, stressful, or hard to manage.
What does disordered eating look like?
Disordered eating doesn’t look the same for everyone. It can show up in different ways, including:
- Cutting out entire food groups, such as carbs or gluten, without a medical reason
- Limiting foods
- Skipping meals regularly
- Grazing or snacking all day without balanced meals
What causes disordered eating?
A few common factors that can lead to disordered eating are:
Messages about food: We’re constantly being bombarded by conflicting nutritional messages. It can be hard to know what’s actually healthy or normal.
Digestive or physical concerns: Someone dealing with chronic issues, such as stomach pain or constipation, may start experimenting with different diets. That can lead to anxiety about eating or avoiding certain food groups.
Mental health challenges: Someone who is experiencing anxiety or depression may change how they eat as a way to gain control or feel better.
Social media: We know that spending a lot of time on social media is a risk factor for depression and anxiety and can lead to disordered eating.
Life stages and transitions: Times when the body is changing, such as during adolescence, pregnancy, or perimenopause, can increase focus on food and weight.
When should you be concerned about disordered eating?
I would pay closer attention if the disordered eating is progressing. That can look like a person who is avoiding gluten begins to cut out carbohydrates. Additionally, if they start to lose weight, I would be more concerned.
Other signs to pay attention to include increasing anxiety around food and eating habits starting to interfere with daily life. Those are indicators it’s time to reach out for mental health support.
What does healthy or “normal” eating look like?
Some basic guidelines of what is considered healthy or “normal” eating include:
- Eating regular and balanced meals, which is typically three times a day
- Adding snacks when meals are far apart or energy needs are higher
- Adjusting food intake based on activity level
- Allowing a variety of foods without strict rules
It’s important to remember that flexibility is also part of healthy eating.
How is disordered eating treated?
Mental health treatment for disordered eating often starts with education and awareness. At Rogers, our registered dietitians are important members of the treatment team. They work one-on-one with people in our care to:
- Build a positive relationship with food
- Create a nutrition plan that meets each individual’s unique needs
- Teach nutrition skills
We work with compassion and understanding to uncover underlying issues, such as concerns about anxiety, mood, or body image.
How can I talk to someone I’m concerned about?
Starting a conversation with someone about their mental health can feel uncomfortable. It’s important to approach them in a caring, non-threatening, and nonjudgmental way.
You might consider saying:
- “I’ve noticed that you’re not eating gluten anymore. I’m curious if we could talk about it.”
- “I’m wondering if you’re having any concerns about eating or your diet and if you want to talk about that.”
Remember that disordered eating can be influenced by many different factors. Over time, it can increase the risk of developing an eating disorder. Noticing changes early and responding with care and compassion can help someone stay on a healthier path.
Rogers offers eating disorder treatment
Having a healthy relationship with food is possible with the right support. Our team is here to meet you where you are and help you determine a path forward.
Call 833-308-5887 for a free, confidential screening.
Disordered eating is when someone has unhealthy or stressful patterns around food, even if they are eating enough and don’t have a diagnosed eating disorder.
Signs can include skipping meals, avoiding certain food groups without a medical reason, limiting food, or eating in an unstructured way throughout the day.
It can be influenced by many factors, including anxiety, depression, physical health issues, social media, and confusing messages about what’s “healthy.”
You should be concerned if eating habits become more restrictive, weight loss occurs, anxiety around food increases, or eating behaviors begin to interfere with daily life.
Treatment often includes education, therapy, and nutrition support. Mental health professionals and registered dietitians can help people build a healthier relationship with food and address underlying concerns.
