---
title: Why Black Women’s Disordered Eating Is Overlooked
date: 2025-11-21T11:04:00-05:00
author: Jonese Austin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/why-black-womens-disordered-eating-is-overlooked"
section: Resources
---
[Donate](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/donate)

[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Why Black Women’s Disordered Eating Is Overlooked

People of color are less than half as likely to be diagnosed with disordered eating, compared to white people. In this podcast episode, Alishia McCullough discusses her own journey with disordered eating and how it has informed her mental health work around body liberation. McCullough is a licensed clinical mental health therapist and the author of “Reclaiming the Black Body, Nourishing the Home Within.”  
  
In the interview, Alishia McCullough discusses how her family, culture, and environment shaped her relationship with food. Messages around scarcity, beauty, and success contributed to her experience of anorexia nervosa. Furthermore, her thinness was praised by doctors, and her symptoms were overlooked. McCullough notes that Black women she has worked with have shared similar experiences as it relates to their symptoms being overlooked. Larger Black women even shared that their doctors encouraged their disordered eating for the sake of losing weight.  
  
Once Alishia McCullough recognized her disordered eating, she began her journey to body liberation. This included attending to ancestral histories of good relationship to the land and recognizing generational trauma that contributed to undernourishment. Her own journey has inspired her work with others. On Black women and disordered eating, she emphasizes that anybody can experience disordered eating. It’s not just the thin white person overwhelmingly presented in the media. She also notes how important it is to know the symptoms of disordered eating. The pressure on BIPOC people to look white can complicate or hide these symptoms. Overall, our bodies know what they need, and we must learn to listen to them and trust them.

> I even, being a grad student, had so much stigma associated with words like disorder, diagnoses, because those were just experiences that were not talked about in my community, in my family, and so there was a dissonance for me… I'm learning about these things, but I didn't know I could be impacted by the same diagnosis that I'm learning about in school.

[Listen to the episode ](https://www.wunc.org/show/embodied/2025-03-21/eating-disorder-black-women-people-of-color-anorexia-bulimia)

SOURCE: WUNC: North Carolina Public Radio • AUTHOR: Alishia McCullough, Anita Rao, Kaia Findlay, and Wilson Sayre • LAST UPDATED: March 21, 2025

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

![](/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)
- [Black / African American](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/black-african-american)
- [BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color)](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/bipoc-black-indigenous-and-people-of-color)
- [body image](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/body-image)
- [culture](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/culture)
- [families](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/families)
- [social media](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/social-media)
- [body positivity](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/body-positivity)
- [therapy (psychotherapy)](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/therapy-psychotherapy)

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** 

- We rigorously evaluate all content
- We embrace a reproductive justice framework
- We don’t accept ads or sell products
- We reject funding from the pharmaceutical industry
- We counter misinformation and disinformation
- We address the social, political, and economic factors that affect health and sexuality

[read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us)

Share

[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)

##### More to Explore

[ResourcesRead

## Eating Disorders: About More than Food

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

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

An overview of eating disorders, including their definitions, who is at risk, treatment, and other resources.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/eating-disorders-about-more-than-food)

[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 & ConversationsRead

## Media Representations of “Ideal” Relationships

Do you see yourself reflected in the media? Do you see relationships that mirror your own? How does the representation you see affect your sense of self?

![201611 IMG 0242 2 jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

Do you see yourself reflected in the media? Do you see relationships that mirror your own? How does the representation you see affect your sense of self?](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/conversations-media-representations-of-ideal-relationships)

[ResourcesRead

## Justice-Oriented Directory of Therapists for Black and Brown Folks

This directory of therapists only includes therapists committed to social justice and combating racism.

![Christina wocintechchat com U Tw3j ao IKM unsplash scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAEGklEQVRIiW1WTZrrOA4DQFX1/Y82+970MV5ZBGZByZWebxJFkRWHIMAfi//5+58Adtre3c/uZ/fP7qd7t207ISBxSWvpe9XXqu9VX2utqlWlklgkQyEI6CBBgAQCgAS4e5gJmL27RO47831+fD8z5f37XSzbAOIkcWLPV87LSQLCgIIkOfPnYm4JyAuE2Qiw3AbgpNseTez+GElIgDRl2qbDWLFNSkyYOBBigJfuUWR1NwIntrvdu7u722dcgIgERJTpZtMlmnSTIAASoMZ9A8MqwOq9EzjpA+Dd3bu7vfsIRqJMVkQ02WSxWxRokiOPAABkwIQnqsHaP0+ORNn23pNLftrbbicICQ8LQIA4gxrHgyTKyKPwAMz12s9zGeRpz9jbu/3YPVSJEhETJUREAZvQqFNXEepgYBgQwHr+PEEctP10nvY+MDkAAAlrGEQoAYWI2AAzqR1l5BGYQJcB1/PzkwxA9sUY64/TQRCSFuEwESCgRiVMHQFVCTSuU6fCmIBr//mTwEEnT2f7Bch2GhgGKTEWJKSQYopoQAhHkcJNaGAyKwyynj8/ABxsZzvb2J2zTnr8J2IzYx3NOwCNQQCA8l7zzODqN4uM9r/noIEQJFEU0kgTrbwYRXhyjMAoJhICjAjM6ucHgY9KaMeGfXYMhKRI0IAJa0a7YdHqmG4TDBiSZgRCoBGuPDs45hLESABPryJujQKEgLnBTDNi3GlGhowQERIwnHnSFL1v7yQmC8aTgJN0CENCjOcGmAivxUtZQoKEE2pMfWOdvwEKFAoQOIkYTC6QhJDZ52QOMk3u+HUBT4AZEgOzhIBgAKJwXAwneyYGgCBhCYu/FTA96M0i/rYQkOSkBrkWEUzRjywzKLBBX2ckVnEVlrDEEoooUeTpS/xYCxQvQBGAAYEFblDgrD8BKJZYpa/SKi6ppBIlzmKGztAvwPfX6U0G+mKM9SaNX4B5LA/G1+IqlrQO8AUoqaiXEbm+vtYkkcGDQTbo/2FwSKjEVVpVX6tW6QypSvP815CSKIFcf32vnCc8DYzXfazjZYDxaTBKc8JYpbVqrarSKlUd4fQJ8P19GZA+PNjnciSaTD0s6mJU1RxbqrRW3ddHcCReAE4yj0oGTfS1btyUnkCIGiPX+lksVUlLVUUdBgPwlVN2/wKYdUATmCaDE4kTyzF+fNc7X33qBvlK9HYBv0hkfn/iJ4SkY/PDuqomyCORROAji/IRicnaSwKnuWAAxAMg3WC8vtdvhHkkWqt+GRAf1nG76n2Cz/mLHAC9Oh00Hvcv+Cm0qpoAzNCp6qOVAOf/AVB8K/kEVXoreYpMArFU+jjswgQBH0Xgaag455zpUuT9fGrxJjLfMgbJpXMyO6+XAV4qV/7phL80TtQ/rj676N3+L4IRfSXygWkCAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)

This directory of therapists only includes therapists committed to social justice and combating racism.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/justice-oriented-directory-of-therapists-for-black-and-brown-folks)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## My Changing Body Image

LL talks about how her skin condition, and her involvement in theatre in high school, both affected her body image.

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

LL talks about how her skin condition, and her involvement in theatre in high school, both affected her body image.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-my-changing-body-image)

[ResourcesRead

## A Menstrual Expert's Surprising Tips On How To Talk About Your Period

An interview with Dr. Inga Winkler about menstrual stigma – what it is, how it is perpetuated, and ways to combat it.

![A Menstrual Expert's Surprising Tips On How To Talk About Your Period](data:image/png;base64,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)

An interview with Dr. Inga Winkler about menstrual stigma – what it is, how it is perpetuated, and ways to combat it.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-menstrual-experts-surprising-tips-on-how-to-talk-about-your-period)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Using the Media To Explore My Asexuality

MB discusses the role of the media in teaching her about asexuality and the asexuality spectrum.

![My Story- Using the Media To Explore My Asexuality](data:image/png;base64,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)

MB discusses the role of the media in teaching her about asexuality and the asexuality spectrum.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-using-the-media-to-explore-my-asexuality)

[ResourcesRead

## The Social Determinants of Health in Breast Cancer Care

A survey of community-based, organizational, and clinical barriers to care demonstrates that life stressors impact treatment and health outcomes, something holistic practitioners have known for a very long time.

![African American mother covering face while sitting by unpaid bills, children playing behind her at home.](data:image/png;base64,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)

A survey of community-based, organizational, and clinical barriers to care demonstrates that life stressors impact treatment and health outcomes, something holistic practitioners have known for a very long time.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/social-determinants-breast-cancer-care)