Body image: Eating Disorders Come in all Shapes and Sizes || Dunnebells

Distressed body image is one of the critical reasons behind eating disorders. Comparing oneself with celebrities, athletes, or unrealistic social media images of others' bodies can trigger low self-esteem, causing eating disorders.

We generally link eating disorders with those who think they are overweight. The truth is that anyone, even including those with a healthy weight or underweight, can experience these issues. So, we can say eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes! Here, a mindset training program can help you.

Before we dive into how to help someone with an eating disorder as well as how to compliment someone without bringing their body image into it, let’s get crystal clear on the differences between common eating disorders.

Types of common eating disorders with definitions.

There are six types of common eating disorders, as explained below by Dunnebells Eating Disorder Coach:

1. Anorexia Nervosa

This well-known eating disorder develops during adolescence or young adulthood, mostly among women. People who have anorexia nervosa view themselves as overweight, even if they are seriously underweight. They keep monitoring their body weight, avoid eating some food products and restrict their calorie intake.

2. Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a serious mental illness characterized by periods of food restriction followed by binge eating help, with recurrent compensating behaviours to “purge” the body of the food.

Biological, social, genetic, and psychological factors play a role in increasing the risk of its onset.

3. Binge Eating

This one is very near and dear to my heart, as I struggled with a binge eating disorder for years. Individuals with binge eating disorder eat very large amounts of food in short time periods and often feel as though they “lose control” during a binge episode. They do not often heavily restrict calories or indulge in purging behaviours, such as excessive exercise or vomiting for compensation, however, there are always exceptions and cross-overs between eating disorder behaviours.

4. Pica

Pica people tend to crave and consume non-food products, like ice, soil, soap, hair, chalk, wool, dirt,  paper, cloth, or even detergent. This disorder particularly affects pregnant women, children, and people struggling with their mental health.

5. Rumination Disorder

Individuals with rumination disorder regurgitate food, re-chew it, and then spit it out or re-swallow it. If not resolved, this eating disorder may lead to weight loss and severe malnutrition. Rumination can also be a symptom of anorexia or bulimia. 

6. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)

ARFID generally develops during infancy or childhood and persists into adulthood. Individuals with ARFID experience disturbed eating either because of less interest in eating or distaste for particular tastes, smells, colours, or temperatures. Sometimes this is referred to as “extreme picky eating,” often resulting in significant nutrient deficiencies.

How to help someone struggling with body image and eating disorders

Now that you understand the types of eating disorders we can discuss how to potentially help someone.

Are you worried about someone you care about suffering from an eating disorder?

There are several effective ways shared by Dunnebells eating disorder coach to help those with body image and eating disorder problems.

1. Talk to them about what you have noticed

Bombarding someone with an eating disorder with dire warnings about their health consequences won’t work. It can hurt their emotions! So, make sure you broach the subject carefully. 

Choose a good time when you can speak with them about the topic without any distractions or unwanted interruptions. Avoid criticizing or lecturing.

Show them why you are worried about the person’s health. Since denial and resistance are obvious, practice to remain focused, calm, and positive towards the person.

If you go into the conversation with things you have noticed rather than forcing them to stop their behaviours, you’ll have a much higher chance of being able to support/help them.

2. Listen without judgment

Be patient and supportive when listening to your loved one suffering from an eating disorder or severe body image issues. You have to understand what they’re going through, and respectfully validate their feelings. 

3. Be mindful of triggers

Do not discuss triggers like food, weight, negative body images, eating, etc. Eat normally in front of the person with an eating disorder to represent your healthy relationship with food. If you try and walk on eggshells around the topic, it will only make it worse.

In addition, you can check out my article 6 ways to help someone with an eating disorder for further assistance.

Some other common ways to help someone with an eating disorder are:

• Individual counselling with Mindset Transformation Coach

• Family therapy

• Cognitive-behavioural therapy

• Dual diagnosis treatment

• Psychiatry

• Fitness training with a highly attentive eating disorder coach

• Self-esteem enhancement

• Medication and equine therapies
  

BODY IMAGE COMPLIMENTS

Moving onto some other subtle ways you can help someone with a distressed body image and/or eating disorder by giving a positive compliment without talking about their body shape or body size.

Ways to compliment someone without talking about the size/shape of their body

Focus on the fantastic qualities this person has and try your best to compliment them on things as if you were blind.

Whatever you say, be sure to stay sincere and positive.

The simplest way to judge if your comments are not objectifying the person is to focus on qualities about them.

For instance, you can make compliments like:

“Your smile is so radiant! Your face just brightens up when you smile.”

“I love your outfit — you’re always so well-dressed, and I love the way you pair things together.”

“You look so happy! I hope you keep having good days like these.”

“You are a great companion for a road trip, thanks for making me laugh out loud.”

“Seriously, how do you stay so cheerful, positive, and motivated? Please share your secret tips with me!”

“I love the way you live; your confidence, your positive attitude, and the way you truly embrace your life!” 

Body image is not everything! We don’t need to make any comments about anyone else’s body.

Finally, one thing I would like to mention is to consider embracing your body. 

There is nothing wrong if you want to be slimmer or have defined muscle on your body. But, it’s important to do our best and love our bodies along the way. There is no need to starve yourself to get the results you are after.

As someone who struggled with binge eating help disorder, please believe me.

No amount of working out and counting calories will bring you true happiness if you are struggling with an eating disorder or some form of disordered eating.

You might have some big lofty goals when it comes to your body, but you are also a fantastic human being, and with the right mindset, you can achieve anything.

To finish, when it comes to our bodies, health is what matters the most. Health has no size. Health comes in all shapes and sizes.

For helpful tips on topics like eating disorders every week, jump in the FREE community group here.

For emergencies around eating disorders and/or body image contact NEDIC toll-free 1-866-633-4220

Are you ready to try something completely different when it comes to your relationship with food and workouts? Join me, one powerful group of women on one transformation adventure in the next 8-week body transformation program. Apply here. Spaces limited. 

Stay strong. Be the fire.