Eating Disorders Don't Discriminate
Read the Full Article from Texas Public Radio
Bulimia, anorexia and other eating disorders are often perceived to be a white cultural experience affecting mostly young cisgender women. How can we better understand the reality of eating disorders in our community?
According to the National Eating Disorder Association around 30 million American men and women will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives. Of all mental health-related issues, eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate.
Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of gender, race or ethnicity, but there is still limited research on eating disorders in marginalized communities. More effort is being made to study how symptoms present and develop in Latino, African American and LGBTQ-identifying individuals.
How many types of eating disorders exist? How do they typically present and develop, and are symptoms the same for everyone? What are the most effective and efficient ways to treat these types of disorders?
Do calorie-counting, exercise-tracking apps and devices contribute to a culture of health anxiety? When do certain eating habits and behaviors become a serious health risk?
Guests:
- Mae Lynn Reyes-Rodriguez, associate professor at the Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Claire Mysko, CEO of the National Eating Disorders Association
- Landry Yarborough, clinical director for the Eating Recovery Center and Insight Behavioral Health Center in San Antonio
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