Myths vs Facts
This eating disorder is often stereotyped as affecting only teenage girls, but actually affects people of all genders and ages.
What is anorexia (or eating disorders in general)?
A helpful response if someone confides they are struggling: “Thank you for telling me. I’m here and I…
What is listen / support you / believe you?
This eating disorder involves episodes of consuming large amounts of food with a feeling of loss of control.
What is binge eating disorder?
This cultural system promotes thinness as ideal and equates it with health and worth.
What is diet culture?
This is the most important first step if you’re concerned about someone.
What is starting a conversation?
True or False: You can tell if someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them.
What is False?
Using BMI as the sole indicator of health can be problematic because of this limitation.
What is lack of sensitivity/specificity for ED severity?
This disorder involves restriction of food intake and intense fear of weight gain.
What is anorexia nervosa?
This social media feature often shows unrealistic bodies through editing and filters.
What are filters / photo editing / facetune ?
This type of professional often leads eating disorder treatment teams.
What is a therapist (or multidisciplinary team)?
This common myth says eating disorders are “just about food,” but they are actually complex mental health conditions.
What is a biological + psychological + social illness?
Instead of labeling foods “good” or “bad,” we can describe them as this.
What is neutral / nourishing / enjoyable?
This eating disorder includes bingeing followed by compensatory behaviors.
What is bulimia nervosa?
Trauma, perfectionism, and this mental health condition often co-occur with eating disorders.
What is anxiety (or depression / OCD)?
Recovery does NOT require this unrealistic expectation.
What is perfection?
True or False: Someone must be underweight to have a “serious” eating disorder.
What is False?
This type of talk—focused on calories, guilt, or “earning” food can normalize disordered behaviors.
What is diet talk?
This eating disorder is characterized by extreme pickiness and avoidance of certain foods, often not related to body image.
What is ARFID?
Athletes in this type of sport may be at higher risk due to emphasis on body size or aesthetics.
What are aesthetic or weight-class sports (e.g., gymnastics, ballet, wrestling)?
This national organization provides support and helplines for people struggling with eating disorders.
What is National Eating Disorders Association?
This eating disorder has the highest mortality rate among psychiatric diagnoses.
What is anorexia nervosa?
When discussing weight changes, this principle helps reduce shame and stigma.
What is weight-neutral care / Health at Every Size principles?
This term describes behaviors that may not meet full criteria for a diagnosis but are still harmful.
What is disordered eating?
This concept refers to genetic and biological predisposition contributing to eating disorders.
What is heritability / biological vulnerability?
This approach encourages responding to hunger and fullness cues rather than external food rules.
What is intuitive eating?