Every February, we celebrate National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, which is a time to raise awareness, educate communities, and spread hope for recovery. Society has taught us to associate eating disorders with an antiquated, and frankly inaccurate, stereotype. This false stereotype has caused incredible harm because eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of body size, gender, age, race, sexuality, or socioeconomic status.

The Impact of Diet Culture

Take a moment, and think back to the first time you went on a diet, or maybe the first time you remember being aware of your body size. For most people, especially females, this happened when we were very young. These feelings did not come from within. They came from society. For decades our society has been impacted by Diet Culture.

The Definition of Diet Culture

Diet Culture is this societal belief that our bodies represent our worth and status. It is sneaky, and it finds its way into every aspect of our lives. We see it in the food industry, advertised as “guilt free”. We see it in the fitness industry, where companies promise that you will" drop x pounds in 8 weeks. We see it in the supplement industry, with bogus “fat burning” claims. We see it in Hollywood. The list goes on and on, but the point is that we are steeped in Diet Culture.

It All Starts With Fatphobia

Fatphobia is the sister to Diet Culture. We see fatphobia and weight stigma all around us. The discrimination against larger-bodied individuals has contributed to a rise in eating disorders among people of all sizes. Fatphobia is a big topic, and something I am extremely passionate about, so I will write more about this topic in the future.

The Staggering Effect on Children

There is a lot to unpack when it comes to Diet Culture, but I promise you, it is so necessary. Negative body image and dieting behaviors are occurring in children at very young ages. Below are some statistics that are alarming and heartbreaking. But this is the reason why we all need to dismantle Diet Culture.

• 50% of 9 year olds have dieted or restricted their food intake

• 42% of 1st-3rd graders have a desire to be thinner

• 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat

Crossing Into Orthorexia

Many of us are familiar with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge-Eating Disorder. These are all very common, and there is a lot to be said about them. But today I want to talk about a new kid on the block, known as Orthorexia Nervosa.

Orthorexia Nervosa is commonly recognized as The Wellness Diet. For those with orthorexia, weight loss is not necessarily the goal. Instead, there is an obsession with “healthy eating” and food quality. This obsession with food rules often leads to restriction, anxiety, and distress. Below are the common symptoms associated with orthorexia.

• Hyperfocus on food labels, ingredients, and quality of food

• Compulsively checking food labels and ingredients

• Strictly following nutritional guidelines

• Elimination of many food groups

• Refusal or inability to eat certain foods that are not deemed “healthy” or “clean”

• Constantly thinking about food

• Experiencing high stress, anxiety, and fear around food and food choices

Transitioning towards a nourishing, whole foods diet is not the problem. The problem arises when there are obsessive behaviors paired with distress. And often, these orthorexic behaviors can go hand in hand with disordered fitness.

The Tides Are Turning in Naturopathic Medicine

As a Naturopathic Doctor, I have definitely seen a lot of fatphobia within my own industry. It is extremely frustrating to hear other NDs perpetuating weight stigma and harmful diets/detoxes. But, the tides are turning. More and more NDs are educating themselves in Intuitive Eating, dismantling diet culture, eating disorders, and Health At Every Size. We recognize that your body size and weight do not determine your health. In my practice, I don’t care about the size of your body. I care about how you feel in your body.

If you are a Maine resident looking for additional support, I offer a free 15 minute discovery call to chat about your healthcare needs.

About the Author

Dr. Hannah is a naturopathic doctor providing whole body adjunctive healthcare to patients in Maine and Massachusetts. She believes every patient has their own unique health journey, which influences her personalized treatment approach. She has a passion for helping women, mothers and families heal and thrive, all while uncovering the root cause of whatever ails them. Her goal is to empower and guide her patients on the path towards healing the mind, body and soul through natural methods of healing. Dr. Hannah sees patients locally in Portland, Maine. Through telehealth, she is happy to serve the people of Lewiston, Ellsworth, Belfast, Bangor, and all the towns in between! She now sees Massachusetts patients through telehealth as well!

Disclaimer

The information provided on or through this website is for educational and informational purposes only. This information is not a substitution for proper and personalized medical diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or trusted healthcare provider before making an adjustments or changes to your healthcare regimen. Natural medicine is not inherently harmless, and therefore it is important to speak with your healthcare providers for personalized medical advice.