Where Do We Draw the Line? Dieting, Exercise, and Eating Disorders
Living a fit and flourishing life often includes smart eating habits and a regular exercise routine. However, what begins as a positive diet and exercise program can become an unhealthy focus on a healthy habit, even leading to eating disorders and Otherwise Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED).
Dieting and Exercise Habits
With the ever prevalent diet culture, it’s all too easy to get sucked into buying the latest “healthy” cookbook or signing up for a meal delivery service guaranteed to help with weight loss. Unfortunately, there’s a fine line between dieting and the development of an eating disorder or EDNOS — one that is especially dangerous to adolescents.
According to a 2016 study by the National Eating Disorders Association, 14 and 15-year-olds who dieted moderately were five times more likely to develop an eating disorder than those who didn’t. Additionally, the same study found that dieting has a direct link to higher weight gain and increased binge eating.
Just as restrictive eating can lead to eating disorders, excessive exercise can have the same outcome. Excessive exercise can be a symptom of multiple eating disorders, but it’s particularly common in patients with anorexia nervosa. A 2020 study found that between 37 and 54 percent of anorexia nervosa patients over-exercised as a way to maintain their low weight. An individual may also over-exercise to rid their bodies of the calories consumed by binge eating.
Warning Signs of An Eating Disorder
If you’re concerned for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to look at the reasons for dieting and exercise. Is the ultimate goal to become your healthiest, best self? Or are you wrapped up with calorie counting and the number on your scale? Are you flexible with your meal plan and exercise schedule? Or do your strict habits cause you to miss out on fun with family and friends? Be honest with yourself as you take a look at what’s motivating your behavior.
Other warning signs may include:
Secretive eating or exercising
Exercise as permission to eat
Insisting on sticking to a strict diet or exercise routine despite illness or injury
Depression or irritability if unable to eat and exercise as planned
Pulling away from family and friends
Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
Patients with EDNOS don’t meet the criteria for a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa but still show many of these warning signs and require attention and treatment. For instance, an individual may check all of the boxes for anorexia nervosa but still have a weight within the normal range. Or someone may binge and purge but not as frequently or for as long as a patient confirmed to have bulimia nervosa.
The earlier the problem is identified and treatment begins, the quicker recovery can happen. Please seek help if you believe you’ve developed an eating disorder or EDNOS following restrictive dieting or excessive exercise.
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