Understanding Eating Disorders:
A Guide to Better Awareness & Support
Talking about eating disorders isn’t always easy.
The topic is often loaded with emotion, and the language surrounding it can be confusing. But one thing is clear: The more understanding and awareness we have, the more likely people are to get the support they need.
Our Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Sophie Edwards, has created a helpful guide to break down the differences between eating disorders and disordered eating, as well as ways to reduce harmful habits and access the right support.
What’s the Difference?
You may have heard the terms Eating Disorder and Disordered Eating, but what do they mean?
A mental health condition where eating behaviours meet specific criteria and can be diagnosed by a healthcare professional.
Examples include:
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Patterns that don’t meet the threshold for a formal diagnosis, but still cause distress or harm.
Examples include:
- Restricting and then bingeing
- Emotional or compulsive eating
- Night eating or eating in secret
Disordered eating is serious—and can develop into a diagnosed eating disorder over time. Want to learn more? Click the button below.
How to Reduce Risk?
If you’re concerned your relationship with food may be unhealthy, speak to your GP. In the meantime, here are a few steps that can help:
- Eat Regularly
Avoid skipping meals, as this often leads to overeating later.
- All Foods Fit
Unless advised by a doctor, there’s no need to cut out food groups. There’s no such thing as “bad” food.
- Ditch the Guilt
Enjoying food is part of a healthy lifestyle. Guilt has no place at the table.
-
Listen to
your Body
Learn to recognise real hunger and fullness. Over-restriction can lead to a sense of deprivation and may trigger bingeing.
Who is Affected?
The way eating disorders are portrayed in the media paints an incomplete picture. Most often, we see a thin, young, white woman.
But the reality is:
- Eating disorders don’t discriminate. They affect people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and body sizes.
- Unfortunately, many people—especially men, people from Black or ethnic minority backgrounds, and those in higher BMI categories—are often overlooked.
- Research shows that healthcare professionals are less likely to diagnose eating disorders in these groups, delaying critical support.
When Weight Loss isn’t the Answer
Around 1 in 3 people with Binge Eating Disorder (BED) have a high BMI. But instead of being referred to specialist support, they’re often sent to weight loss programmes.
If you’re struggling with BED or disordered eating, trying to lose weight can actually do more harm than good.
What’s needed is the right kind of help, tailored to the root of the problem.
How we can Help at Morelife
If stress is starting to affect your health or daily life, you can reach out to mind.org or Samaritans.org, nhs don’t hesitate to reach out. You’re not alone—and support is always available.