An eating disorder doesn’t have a body type

When most people think about an eating disorder, they picture someone who is very thin or visibl unwell. But eating disorders don't have a specific body type. You can't tell if someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them. As a dietitian who specializes in eating disorders, this is one of the biggest misconceptions I see. You don't have to look sick to have an eating disorder. Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that affect a person's thoughts, feelings and behaviors around food, eating, exercise and their body. They can also affect the whole body, including the heart, gastrointestinal system, bones, hormones and energy levels. Contributed / Prairie Doc Eating disorders can happen to people of all body sizes. Someone in a larger body can have a restrictive eating disorder, including anorexia nervosa. They may be eating very little, eliminating entire food groups, experiencing significant fear around food, or exercising excessive