Tv shows about food are everywhere today for us to choose from, while social media sites like Instagram (e.g., #food) have amassed over half a billion posts making food a popular theme for people. This would be no surprise, considering how important food is to our development, brain function and survival.
Our thoughts, feelings and beliefs about food (e.g., gaining weight) can change our eating behaviors leading to food restriction (e.g., dieting) to control body weight and shape. This is not to say there is anything maladaptive about monitoring and changing your calorie intake or food choice, as this seems like an important aspect of everyone’s life especially after a holiday. However, when eating becomes less regulated by feeling hungry (e.g., intuitive eating), driven by inflexible rules and dietary restraint, these problematic attitudes and behaviors about food may lead to a maladaptive relationship with food, personal distress, and interpersonal issues. Eating driven by inflexible dietary rules to influence shape and body weight is called disordered eating (DE).
DE is subclinical forms of eating attitudes, beliefs and behaviors which do not warrant a clinical diagnoses of an eating disorder (e.g., anorexia nervosa). Similar to eating disorders, DE can go undetected for long periods of time as the person inflicted usually feels they do not have an issue with their attitudes and behaviors towards food. Unfortunately, DE is highly associated the emergence of a clinical diagnoses of an eating disorder in future years. DE expressions have traditionally been closely associated with mostly females, however recent findings show males can account for up-to 33% of DE cases (1 in 3). Strikingly, this finding implies DE expressions amongst males may be common, suggesting both males and females experience aspects of DE and also potentially not seeking assistance or treatment.
DE is usually driven by body image ideals. In general (e.g., not everyone) females generally overvalue a "thin body", which is low in body fat (e.g., ‘thinness’). While the “thinness” body ideal is mostly strived for by females, especially young adolescent girls, the revolution of the fitness and cosmetic industries have seen some subtle changes to this ideal, which may include a toned body (e.g., defined abdominals) or larger glute muscles.
In contrast, males and young adolescent boys generally prefer a muscular and lean body, which is not focused on reducing weight (e.g., thinness), but enhancing muscularity and leanness, commonly referred to as the "muscular ideal". The muscular ideal is characterized by large biceps, broad shoulders and a narrow waist that enhances what is known as a ‘V-taper’ appearance.
DE is considered a risk factor for eating disorders like Anorexia and Bulimia. If anyone is having distress with their body image and this is impacting their eating, please consider speaking to your GP or seeking assistance with a trained therapist. Early detection and treatment is the best prevention of an eating disorder, noting, eating disorders are extremely complex and very difficult to treat, with high relapses up-to 70% after treatment.
First line treatments for eating concerns is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Enhanced (CBT – E) and family therapy depending on the age of the individual.
Please note treatment for eating concerns are usually undertaken with a multi disciplinary team which usually consists of:
(1) GP,
(2) dietician,
(3) Psychiatrist and
(4) Psychologist
