These Warning Signs Could Mean Your Trying to Lose Weight Is Causing an Eating Disorder
Drugs like Ozempic have increased the desire for targeted weight loss in the past year, increasing (if that’s even possible) societal pressure to try to lose weight. The problem is that trying to lose weight is not always healthy or harmless.
In fact, trying to lose weight can trigger an eating disorder. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, one study found that women who diet moderately are five times more likely to develop an eating disorder than those who do not diet at all. Extreme dietary restriction was associated with an 18-fold increase in risk. About 9% of people in the United States experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives, and 22% of children and adolescents exhibit an eating disorder.
How weight loss can trigger eating disorders
Weight loss is known to be a factor in the onset or relapse of eating disorders. Because trying to lose weight is so common, it’s important to know the signs of an eating disorder, according to Dr. Elisabeth Wassenaar , regional medical director of the Center for Eating Recovery. And the risk of dieting leading to an eating disorder is significant.
“About 20-25% of those who try to lose weight or diet will develop an eating disorder during their lifetime, with 35% of dieters developing rigid, compulsive food or exercise rituals without a formal diagnosis,” Wassenaar said.
In a fatphobic society, beliefs and behaviors associated with an eating disorder can be difficult to distinguish from “healthy” concerns about losing weight.
“Anorexia nervosa of the restrictive type is characterized by an often obsessive fear of weight gain, a distorted body image, and a refusal to maintain a natural body weight. Their focus on weight loss is usually through dieting, fasting or excessive physical activity,” Wassenaar said. “People with larger bodies may also suffer from restrictive anorexia, and a patient with anorexia may appear ‘healthy’ when they are malnourished.”
A history of weight loss itself has been shown to be a risk factor for the development of eating disorders. A 2020 study of 1,165 young women with body image problems found a link between weight suppression and the onset of anorexia, bulimia and purging disorders. The researchers wrote: “The results provide new evidence that weight suppression is correlated with the future occurrence of eating disorders characterized by dietary restrictions or compensatory weight control behaviors and suggest that weight suppressed women constitute an important at-risk group to target in programs selective prevention.”
Red flags for an eating disorder
According to Wassenaar, this could be a signal that your attempt to lose weight is actually an eating disorder:
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Avoid entire food groups or classify foods as “good” or “bad.”
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There is fear outside the home.
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Feelings of anxiety or shame when you have to break your strict eating routine.
Other signs of an eating disorder may include:
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Low weight or sudden weight loss.
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Constant feeling of cold.
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Thinning or hair loss.
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Irregular periods.
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Fear of weight gain.
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Calorie restriction, strange eating habits or food rituals.
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Obsessive exercise.
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Social isolation.
Ozempic may make the problem worse
From the beginning of 2020 to the end of 2022 , there was a 300% increase in prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Although this class of drugs has been around and used to treat type 2 diabetes for more than a decade, the surge in popularity is due to the weight loss side effect that some users experience. (Only about half of people prescribed GLP-1 drugs in 2022 had type 2 diabetes.)
“We have already begun to see the impact of GLP-1 agonists as cosmetic weight loss agents in the eating disorder community as more patients experience an eating disorder relapse after using them,” Wassenaar said.
Aggressive marketing of weight loss drugs, as well as ongoing marketing of other diets and weight loss products, creates an environment in which people at risk for eating disorders are especially vulnerable.
“Eating disorders are complex illnesses that thrive in isolation. The idea that you have to change your body to achieve health or happiness is an insidious and harmful idea that continues to make billions for drug makers and health food companies around the world,” Wassenaar said.
What to do if you suspect an eating disorder
If you notice any of the warning signs or warning signs mentioned above, contact your doctor or mental health professional to see if your eating behavior is crossing into dangerous territory.
“Instead of focusing on weight loss or dieting, focus on eating nutritious foods and moving your body joyfully,” Wassenaar said. “If you are concerned about developing an eating disorder, be sure to talk to your doctor or mental health professional before starting any weight loss routine. It is important to understand if you have an eating disorder, are at risk of developing one, or are struggling with an eating disorder.”