We don’t talk enough about eating disorders in the Hispanic community. Eating disorders impact people of all backgrounds in different ways.
Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most prevalent eating disorder in the Hispanic/Latino population.
Why is that?
In this insightful personal essay, the author attributes their disordered eating to Latinx diet culture, which had enveloped her since childhood and had been encouraged by her mother, and her cultural upbringing with food overall.
This essay is just one example of how disordered eating can stem from one’s cultural background. Eating disorders don’t have just one root cause. Sometimes your culture has nothing to do with your eating disorder, but cultural factors can certainly play a part in eating disorder development.
People of color are less likely to seek eating disorder treatment, so it’s important to know how to recognize an eating disorder in your friends or family members.
What is binge eating disorder?
Binge eating is not the same as emotional eating. Emotional eating is not consistent and isn’t usually followed by feelings of guilt or shame. Here are some of the warning signs of binge eating disorder:
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Eating in secret
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Visible discomfort when eating around others
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Dieting
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Fluctuations in weight
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Food rituals
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Withdrawing from social activities
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Hiding food
Bingeing is often a result of restrictive eating. Restriction usually starts when you listen to media messages about how you should “replace” staples like rice and pasta in order to cut carbs. The list of foods you eat then begins to shrink according to what diet culture deems ‘good’ or ‘bad.’
Diet culture and Hispanic cuisine
Diet culture labels cultural foods (like rice) as unhealthy and celebrates a very “white” way of eating. With eating disorders, the problem is never the food itself. All foods fit into a healthy, balanced meal plan. You can eat the familiar foods you love all throughout recovery and after.
But nutrition services in eating disorder treatment centers do not always reflect cultural diversity. Research your treatment options with those considerations in mind. Work with a dietitian who understands your eating patterns and respects that you may eat differently than other clients.
Eating disorder resources for the Latinx/Hispanic community
Navigating eating disorder recovery when you don’t see yourself represented in the typical eating disorder narrative might make you feel a bit lost and alone. Below are some eating disorder resources for the Hispanic community:
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)
If you are looking for online eating disorder therapy and nutrition counseling in California, Kindful Body has a team of therapists and dietitians available to help you on your recovery journey. Fill out this form to schedule your free 15-minute consultation to explore your options for help.
