Disordered Eating vs Eating Disorder: What’s the Difference & When to be Concerned
According to the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, “Disordered eating is used to describe a range of irregular eating behaviors that may or may not warrant a diagnosis of a specific eating disorder.”
This week is Eating Disorder Awareness Week, so today we’re going to dive into this topic and discuss encouraging a balanced diet and when to be concerned about your child’s eating.
What that really boils down to is that anything from food restriction, yo-yo dieting, food group elimination, or even fasting can fall under this umbrella. Many popularized fad diets are considered “disordered eating” patterns, the reason is that the human body & brain need many macro & micronutrients from food sources that we can’t make. When we don’t give our body what it needs to function well, i.e. for us to run, skip & play there is a lack and our bodies won’t operate well.
Imagine a car that never gets its oil changed. It’ll run, but not well and not for long! Our bodies are the very same way. We need to fuel up to be able to function in simple ways like blinking, sleeping, and talking and in more complex ways like taking tests, regulating emotions, and exercising. The best way to ensure you and your child are getting what they need is to eat and offer a whole foods diet. Only using a multivitamin when absolutely needed to fill in the nutrition gaps.
One way to do this is pretty simple: try to eat the entire color of the rainbow! Eatright.org is a wonderful resource if you need inspiration or just need simple steps to start this in your home.
Remember, caregivers lead the way!
Children tend to fall in line with caregivers setting the pace for healthy eating patterns. If you’re making a switch to healthy eating and your child is not on board, don’t be discouraged! Kids need a minimum of 7 times to offer the same food before they’ll accept. This is perfectly normal and food preferences change and expand as your child grows and explores.
Now, when should you be concerned?
The most significant difference between an eating disorder and disordered eating is: whether or not a person's symptoms and experiences align with the criteria defined by the American Psychiatric Association. While many people who have disordered eating patterns may fit the criteria for EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified), it is also possible to have disordered eating patterns that do not fit within the current confines of an eating disorder diagnosis.
Some things to look out for are:
Frequent dieting, anxiety associated with specific foods, or meal-skipping
Chronic weight fluctuations
Rigid rituals and routines surrounding food and exercise
Feelings of guilt and shame associated with eating
Preoccupation with food, weight, and body image that negatively impacts quality of life
A feeling of loss of control around food, including compulsive eating habits
Using exercise, food restriction, fasting, or purging to "make up for bad foods" consumed
Remember that one or two of these patterns may be a normal process of growth & food preference. Just keep a healthy understanding of “why” before getting concerned.
Two or more of these patterns may signal it’s time to seek the help of a mental health professional or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
If you don’t know where to begin, our team is ready to help you navigate in the right direction.
Interested in booking a session with us?
WRITTEN BY KRISTIEN HATCHETT, PRACTICE MANAGER (SHE/HER/HERS)
Kristien has a diverse background in project & office management, ministry and coaching. She graduated from Texas State University with a B.S. in Human Nutrition and Business Management. She grew up in Austin, TX but has lived in Buda, TX raising her 2 amazing kids with her wonderful husband for more than a decade. She enjoys learning, team sports, travel and spending time with her family & friends.
