Our identities and backgrounds shape our relationships with food and our bodies. So there isn’t just one universal eating disorder experience. As an eating disorder treatment provider, it’s our job to make sure we reflect that.
We still have a long way to go in terms of achieving inclusivity in the eating disorder field. Eating disorder treatment isn’t one size fits all. We need to recognize that people have unique recovery needs based on their identities, abilities, and experiences.
The theme of NEDA Week 2021 is Every Body Has a Seat at the Table. This is the year we will push for more representation of groups that are typically left out of eating disorder conversations.
Below you will find eating disorder facts, resources and personal essays for a variety of communities and populations.
Eating Disorder Resources for the Black Community
Eating disorders often go unrecognized in the Black community due to stereotypes, but the mental illnesses are prevalent among Black people:
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Black teenagers are 50% more likely than white teenagers to exhibit bulimic behavior, such as binge-eating and purging.
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Black people are less likely to be diagnosed with anorexia than white people but may experience the condition for a longer period of time.
There are many, many, Black activists, authors, dietitians, therapists, and influencers who are advocating for body acceptance and body neutrality. We’ve featured some on our Instagram, so give them a follow for inspiration and education. For more interactive support check out these two groups:
Alishia McCullough, who runs the @blackandembodied Instagram account, will lead a Black eating disorder recovery support group beginning March 2021 called Sage and Spoon every last Tuesday of the month at 5pm PST/ 8pm EST.
ANAD also offers a Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Support Group on Thursdays at 8pm EST / 5pm PST.
Eating Disorder Resources for the Asian American Community
Cultural pressures and beauty standards may be contributing factors that explain the prevalence of eating disorders among Asian Americans:
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Asian American college students report higher rates of restriction compared with their white peers and higher rates of purging, muscle building, and cognitive restraint than their white, non-Asian, BIPOC peers.
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Asian American college students report higher levels of body dissatisfaction and negative attitudes toward obesity than their non-Asian, BIPOC peers.
Comedian Margaret Cho has been open about her experiences with eating disorders and shared some of her story on this podcast.
This article also provides insight into the struggles of Asian women:
The Truth About Asian Women and Eating Disorders (cosmopolitan.com)
We will update this blog as soon as we find a recurring Asian American eating disorder recovery support group.
Eating Disorder Resources for the Hispanic/Latinx Community
Bulimia is more common in the Hispanic population, but the eating disorder treatment landscape and recovery communities don’t quite reflect that. Here are a few eating disorder resources for and by Latinx people:
Your Latina Nutritionist offers anti-diet resources to help you repair your relationship with food.
What It’s Like to Have an Eating Disorder When You’re Latina | POPSUGAR Latina
Eating Disorders Support | nalgonapositive (nalgonapositivitypride.com)
Eating Disorder Resources for the LGBTQ+ Community
The LGBTQ+ community is disproportionately impacted by eating disorders:
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Gay men are seven times more likely to report binge-eating and twelve times more likely to report purging than heterosexual men.
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Gay and bisexual boys are significantly more likely to fast, vomit, or take laxatives or diet pills to control their weight.
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Transgender college students report experiencing disordered eating at approximately four times the rate of their cisgender classmates.
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Non-binary people may restrict their eating to appear thin, consistent with the common stereotype of androgynous people in popular culture.
Fortunately, there are many awesome resources available for LGBTQ+ people in eating disorder recovery:
ANAD hosts an LGBTQ+ Eating Disorder Support Group Mondays at 5pm EST / 2pm PST
The Eating Disorder Foundation also hosts a virtual support group for LGBTQ+ individuals 18+ on Wednesdays, 5:30 – 6:30pm (MT).
Fed Up Collective is an organization that provides support groups and education centered around eating disorders in underrepresented populations, with an emphasis on trans and intersex communities.
Nalgona Positivity Pride can also direct you to some queer-friendly resources.
Eating Disorder Resources for Those Who Live in Larger Bodies
You may be surprised to learn that the majority of people with eating disorders aren’t actually medically classified as underweight. Yet, much of the focus in the eating disorder field remains directed towards those who need weight restoration. The severity of an eating disorder isn’t determined by a patient’s weight. People of all sizes need to feel seen and supported in their recovery.
ANAD hosts People in Larger Bodies Support Group Wednesdays at 8pm EST / 5pm PST
Eating Disorder Resources for People with Autism
As many as 30% of adults with eating disorders also have autism. Anorexia nervosa and autism spectrum disorder are especially commonly co-occurring. Research on the link between the two is still relatively new, and treatment centers are often ill-equipped to work with patients on the spectrum, but there are resources out there.
The PEACE Pathway is a research project provides resources for autistic people suffering from eating disorders and the clinicians who care for them.
We unfortunately could not find any support groups specifically for this population, but will update this blog and our social media as soon as we do. In the meantime, here are some stories from those with personal experience:
I Have an Eating Disorder Because I’m Autistic | National Eating Disorders Association
Kindful Body’s clients come from diverse backgrounds and so does our team of therapists and dietitians. We serve adults and late adolescents of all body sizes, genders, sexual-orientation, abilities, ethnicities, races, and religions. We provide weight-inclusive online eating disorder therapy and nutrition counseling in California. We’re here to help. Contact us for more information.
All statistics can be found on ANAD’s website.
