Obese man measuring his waistline

Eating disorders, complex conditions intertwined with emotional, psychological, and physical disturbances, revolve around irregular eating habits and severe distress about body weight or shape.

These disorders manifest not just as an unhealthy relationship with food, but often as a coping mechanism for deeper issues. Alarmingly, these disorders are becoming more common among patients seeking obesity treatments. Delving into the relationship between eating disorders and obesity provides crucial insights into their shared risk factors, allowing for better screening, prevention, and treatment strategies.

What Are the Risks of Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are deadly diseases that impact psychosocial functioning and quality of life. Unfortunately, eating disorders are prevalent in patients seeking obesity treatment. One study indicated that as many as 49 percent of patients seeking bariatric surgery have binge eating disorders.

Quantifying the extent of this problem is challenging.  If left untreated, patients with eating disorders prior to surgery are likely to have symptoms after surgery.

There is good news though, we have the potential to better define criteria for eating disorders, provide thorough screenings for patients seeking obesity treatment, and recognize problematic eating behaviors in postbariatric surgery patients.  Another great reason to reach out to a specialist to help you define where you stand personally.

6 Types of Eating Disorders

  • Anorexia Nervosa
  • Binge Eating Disorder
  • Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders
  • Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
  • Rumination Disorder
  • Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder

Risk factors for eating disorders and obesity are oftentimes similar—both are associated with trauma history and adverse childhood experiences. Extra weight can be both a cause and the result of an eating disorder. Eating disorders have a genetic association that can run in families as well.

Here are 11 questions you can ask yourself to help define if you’re dealing with an eating disorder or obesity…

  • Do you ever feel out of control with your eating?
  • Do you feel that you eat until you are overfull?
  • Do you eat for prolonged periods—over several hours?
  • Are you eating in secret?
  • Tell me about your rules around eating/certain foods (e.g., I can eat ice cream if I eat celery for lunch).
  • Are you engaging in harmful behaviors to lose weight?
  • Are you using laxatives or diuretics? How are you taking them?
  • Do you go more than eight waking hours without eating?
  • Do you spend an excessive amount of time worrying about your weight, shape, or food?
  • Are you able to meet your nutrition goals? Are you missing or skipping meals?
  • How often are you vomiting? Do you ever intentionally vomit?
Obese woman reading

If answering these questions with a bariatric surgeon is something you’re ready for, we’re ready to help! Don’t wait another minute to reach out. We’re here to guide you through this process intentionally.

In conclusion, eating disorders should be taken seriously and are often accompanied with obesity. Risk factors and warning signs are similar for eating disorders and obesity and can be identified by asking yourself specific questions. It is important to reach out to a specialist to help you determine where you stand personally.

What are the 6 types of eating disorders?

Anorexia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, Rumination Disorder, Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder.

What are the risk factors for eating disorders and obesity?

Risk factors for eating disorders and obesity are oftentimes similar—both are associated with trauma history and adverse childhood experiences. Extra weight can be both a cause and the result of an eating disorder. Eating disorders have a genetic association that can run in families as well.

How can I determine if I am dealing with an eating disorder or obesity?

Ask yourself questions such as, do you ever feel out of control with your eating, do you feel that you eat until you are overfull, do you eat for prolonged periods, are you eating in secret, and are you engaging in harmful behaviors to lose weight?

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