Last week I attended the National Eating Disorder Association’s (NEDA) annual conference in San Antonio. I have attended many professional conferences on eating disorders, but NEDA’s was unique. Attendees and presenters included professionals who treat clients with eating disorders, eating disorder prevention specialists and those who have been affected by eating disorders (individuals that are at different points in their recovery & family and friends of loved ones with an eating disorder).
I attended several different sessions ranging from binge eating disorder, media & eating disorders, eating disorders in midlife to name a few. I wanted to share the with you two important points about eating disorder prevention that I learned:
1. Resources (money, people) are the largest barrier to implementing eating disorder prevention programs. There are genetic risk factors that contribute to the development of eating disorders (being female is one example). And there are modifiable risk factors such as body dissatisfaction and dieting.
Eating disorder prevention programs obviously target the modifiable risk factors in order to prevent some eating disorders. An example of an evidence based eating disorder prevention program includes: The Body Project which aims to reduce the drive for thinness in adolescent and college age females.
2. Obesity and eating disorder prevention programs could be combined to help reduce eating disorders and help improve health. While there are plenty of obesity prevention programs in schools and in other public and private health arenas, eating disorder prevention is rarely included. As I reflect on my own community here in Austin, I am not aware of obesity prevention program that also include an eating disorder prevention component.
Could the “war on obesity*” cause unintentional harm–exacerbate eating problems (including weight regulation) and eating disorders in some people? Most likely yes. Let’s take a look at caloric restriction (dieting) which is commonly promoted to help reduce obesity. Dieting is linked with an increase risk of eating disorders in youth (Haines et al 2010, 2007; Field et al 2003). Dieting has been linked with an increase in binge eating and can increase the risk of weight gain. Furthermore, there is little to no evidence that dieting works to regulate weight over ones lifespan in the obese population.
In the spirit of “do no harm”-obesity and eating disorder prevention programs should be developed and executed together. Prevention programs that promote good nutrition while allowing for a variety of foods, family meals, fun physical activity, promotion of size acceptance, positive body image, etc. mostly like help with weight regulation and help prevent some eating disorders. Prevention programs should discourage dieting and weight shaming.
*There are so many things that make me uncomfortable with the “war on obesity”. I would need to write a whole other blog post to list all the injustices and wrong information associated with the “war on obesity”. I use the term here “war on obesity” in this post because, unfortunately, it is familiar language in our culture. To read more info about myths associated with obesity and the ” war on obesity” please check out Health at Every Size. To learn more about weight stigma click here.
