---
title: "Eating Disorders: About More than Food"
date: 2014-04-24T03:00:00-04:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/eating-disorders-about-more-than-food"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Eating Disorders: About More than Food

An overview of eating disorders, including their definitions, who is at risk, treatment, and other resources.

> Eating disorders are serious, biologically influenced medical illnesses marked by severe disturbances to one's eating behaviors... Eating disorders are not a choice. These disorders can affect a persons physical and mental health. In some cases these can be life threatening. With treatment, however, people can recover completely from eating disorders.

*Note: This PDF was downloaded from the National Institute of Mental Health website on 2/20/2025.*

[View the PDF ](https://assets.ourbodiesourselves.org/documents/eating-disorders-what-you-need-to-know-NIMH.pdf)

SOURCE: National Institute of Mental Health

![Eating Disorders About More than Food scaled jpeg](data:image/png;base64,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) 

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ mental health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/mental-health)
- [ relationships to food](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/relationships-to-food)
- [disordered eating](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/disordered-eating)

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##### More to Explore

[ResourcesRead

## On Eating Disorders and the Danger of "Pro-Ana" Sites

This piece breaks through the allure of sites that promote anorexia and bulimia and where you can find positive support online instead.

![Woman sits away from scale](data:image/png;base64,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)

This piece breaks through the allure of sites that promote anorexia and bulimia and where you can find positive support online instead.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/on-eating-disorders-and-the-danger-of-pro-ana-sites)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Talking About Eating Disorders in Health Class

LS discusses the ways that the education she received around disordered eating as a young person failed to prepare her for her own experiences.

![LS](data:image/png;base64,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)

LS discusses the ways that the education she received around disordered eating as a young person failed to prepare her for her own experiences.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-talking-about-eating-disorders-in-health-class)

[ResourcesRead

## Resources for Friends of Those Living with Mental Illness

This website provides resources for friends of those living with mental illness, including videos, fact sheets, and more.

![Gemma chua tran m Z Qps I1 Co VQ unsplash scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

This website provides resources for friends of those living with mental illness, including videos, fact sheets, and more.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/resources-for-friends-of-those-living-with-mental-illness)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Dealing with Mental Health Issues

MB describes her struggle coming to terms with mental health issues. She shares how her parents hindered her from getting help, but her friends supported her.

![Marisa](data:image/png;base64,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)

MB describes her struggle coming to terms with mental health issues. She shares how her parents hindered her from getting help, but her friends supported her.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-dealing-with-mental-health-issues)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Experiencing Weight Shaming at the Doctor

LS discusses her experience being body shamed by her doctor as a child and how it still affects her today.

![LS](data:image/png;base64,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)

LS discusses her experience being body shamed by her doctor as a child and how it still affects her today.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-experiencing-weight-shaming-at-the-doctor)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Learning to Feel Comfortable at the Doctor

LS encourages women to advocate for themselves in conversations with their doctors about their weight.

![LS](data:image/png;base64,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)

LS encourages women to advocate for themselves in conversations with their doctors about their weight.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-learning-to-feel-comfortable-at-the-doctor)

[ResourcesListen

## Why Black Women’s Disordered Eating Is Overlooked

Therapist Alishia McCullough analyzes why disordered eating is severely under-diagnosed in people of color like herself.

![A black woman in a red dress with braids smiling](data:image/png;base64,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)

Therapist Alishia McCullough analyzes why disordered eating is severely under-diagnosed in people of color like herself.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/why-black-womens-disordered-eating-is-overlooked)

[ResourcesRead

## ICE Violence, Eating Disorders, and Harm Reduction in the Face of Authoritarianism

Indigenous activist Gloria Lucas discusses how state violence contributes to disordered eating in undocumented and indigenous communities.

![The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building with a woman passing by](data:image/png;base64,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)

Indigenous activist Gloria Lucas discusses how state violence contributes to disordered eating in undocumented and indigenous communities.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/ice-violence-eating-disorders-and-harm-reduction-in-the-face-of-authoritarianism)