People of all body types, backgrounds, races, and socio-economic statuses can struggle with anorexia, regardless of weight, size, or shape. The dangerous rhetoric that all anorexic patients are “underweight” prevents many individuals from seeking treatment and recovering.
If someone mentions eating disorders, your brain might automatically envision a white, thin woman with thinning hair, brittle nails, and a pale complexion. Not only has this been the stereotype of what having an eating disorder looks like, but it also acts as the stereotype for anorexia nervosa (AN). Yet, AN affects people from all walks of life. It can present differently across all different bodies, and harmful stereotypes such as these can interfere with the diagnosis of AN.
Now that it is 2023, everyone has been discussing their New Year’s resolutions and the “New Year, New Me” mindset. Often, these are followed up with wishes to lose weight, be “healthier,” and sign up for some fitness regimen. The diet culture industry takes advantage of this time by advertising different diet plans and gym discounts to fuel this idea even more.
