Why we need to talk about eating disorders | Kat Geiger

Dom Chipp • February 22, 2021

This opinion column was submitted by Kat Geiger, LCSW, a certified eating disorders specialist with  Thrive Wellness of Reno.

As this is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, it’s time to take a closer look at the impact of body image, beauty, diet, and disordered eating and what we can do to mitigate it. Approximately one out of every 10 people in the U.S. struggles with some sort of a diagnosable eating disorder, and a far greater percentage struggle in their relationship with food and their bodies.

Eating disorders can affect people of every size, shape, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and anyone regardless of their gender or sex. Although eating disorders are more commonly identified in females, researchers and clinicians are becoming aware of a growing number of males and nonbinary individuals who are seeking help for eating disorders.

Broadly speaking, eating disorders emerge subconsciously as a way to gain a sense of control over a person’s immediate environment.

In the midst of a global pandemic that is far from the realm of what we can control, a greater percentage of people have begun seeking control through the shapes of their bodies and the food they eat. It has become easier falling into the trap of overevaluating the importance of weight, shape and diet as a means to mitigate the lack of control we feel due to financial instability resulting from the global pandemic, poor family relationships from a tenuous political environment, and other stressors that are out of our control.

In the U.S. alone, about 30 million people will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives. We may not always think of eating disorders as being severe or life-threatening, but eating disorders have the second-highest mortality rate of all mental health struggles. Left untreated, up to 20 percent of those suffering from eating disorders will die. With treatment, mortality rates fall to 2-3 percent.

People of all shapes and sizes can struggle with this disorder, and only 6 percent of those who are diagnosed with an eating disorder are underweight. People struggling with advanced anorexia may be easily identified, but people struggling with bulimia, orthorexia, binge eating disorder and others are often of average body size. The question now is, what can we do to help spread awareness and allow people to seek help without fear of being judged?

  • Education and research are key to spreading awareness about eating disorders. Although social media plays a role in body image issues and diet culture, it can also be used as a platform to educate those who aren’t aware of this disorder and to support those who are all too familiar with it.
  • Speak up and challenge people when they show judgement toward certain body types or foods.
  • Do not talk negatively about your own body or parts of your body. Instead, consider talking about what you are grateful that your body does for you.
  • Consider challenging those who blatantly correlate success or self-discipline with a certain body type.
  • Rather than complimenting a person on their body type or appearance, focus on complimenting their personality traits and talents.
  • Stop moralizing food. Telling our friends “you are being so good!” when they eat a salad or low carb meal, can actually cause harm. Or, saying “I’m being bad today!” after ordering a dessert can also perpetuate shame around eating certain types of foods.
  • If your friend loses 20 pounds, don’t jump to tell them how good they look. Instead, ask how they are feeling or what new hobbies they’ve found.
  • Redirect conversations focused on diets and weight loss, these conversations are often used in our society as “filler” — a surface way to connect with others when we aren’t sure what else to talk about.

A person’s weight and a person’s health are not interchangeable. The stigma of certain foods, weight, and shape must come to an end in order to reduce the cultural effects that perpetuate eating disorders. Ending any stigma starts on an individual level. It’s important to be mindful of how we talk about food and our bodies to friends, family, and most importantly, ourselves.

Offering support to those struggling in their relationship with their bodies and food and spreading awareness can help those who suffer feel less alone. It can even save their lives. There are assessments and treatment available if you or someone you know are struggling with symptoms of an eating disorder. Seeking an assessment from an eating disorders expert is always the best course of action if you are unsure whether your struggles qualify as an eating disorder. If you or someone you love is suffering from signs of an eating disorder, please consider exploring the below resources:

Local resources:

  • Thrive Wellness of Reno — offers free assessments and support groups, and accepts most major insurances for treatment. Visit  thrivewellnessreno.com.

National resources:

  • The National Eating Disorders Association — offers additional information and a national helpline. Visit  nationaleatingdisorders.org.
  • Eating Disorder Hope — offers additional information and national treatment resources. Visit  eatingdisorderhope.com.
  • International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) — offers resources to treatment professionals and a list of certified eating disorders specialists. Visit  iaedp.com.

Kat Geiger, LCSW, is a certified eating disorders specialist with  Thrive Wellness of Reno.

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When Emma was 8, her parents noticed her food choices shrinking. At first, they assumed it was just picky eating — “She’ll outgrow it,” friends said. But by 10, Emma would only eat crackers, cheese, and chicken nuggets. Family dinners became nightly struggles, her growth slowed, and she skipped birthday parties to avoid “strange food.” Her parents felt powerless, her brother grew frustrated, and outings dwindled. What began as food avoidance soon reshaped the rhythm of the entire household. When children avoid food, most parents expect it’s a passing stage. But when restriction deepens, shrinks to only a few “safe foods,” and begins affecting growth or health, families suddenly find themselves in unfamiliar territory. This is often where Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) emerges — with effects that extend far beyond the plate. As providers, we need to be attuned to these patterns. It’s tempting to dismiss them as “no big deal,” yet for many families, they are life-altering. Sadly, Emma’s story is not unusual. Mealtimes as Battlegrounds Families living with ARFID often describe mealtimes as emotionally charged, exhausting, and unpredictable. What should be a chance to connect around the table can feel more like a negotiation or even a standoff. Parents wrestle with whether to push their child to try a new food or give in to the same “safe foods” again and again to avoid tears, gagging, or complete meltdowns. This ongoing tension can make mealtimes dreaded rather than cherished. Siblings, too, are affected. Some may feel resentful when family meals are limited to what only one child will tolerate. Others may act out in response to the constant attention the child with ARFID receives. Over time, the dinner table shifts from a place of nourishment and bonding into a stage for conflict, anxiety, and guilt — a pattern that can erode family cohesion and resilience. Social Isolation and Missed Experiences ARFID impacts more than what happens at home; it influences how families engage with the world around them. Everyday events — birthday parties, school lunches, vacations, even extended family dinners — become sources of stress. Parents may pack special foods to avoid confrontation or, in many cases, decline invitations altogether to protect their child from embarrassment or overwhelm. This avoidance can lead to an unintended consequence: isolation. Families miss out on milestones, friendships, and traditions because of the unpredictability surrounding food. The child may feel left out or ashamed, while parents grieve the loss of “normal” family experiences. This social withdrawal can compound the anxiety already present in ARFID and deepen its impact across generations. Emotional Toll on Parents The emotional strain on parents navigating ARFID is significant. Many describe living in a constant state of worry — Will my child get enough nutrients? Will they ever grow out of this? Am I doing something wrong? This worry often spirals into guilt and self-blame, particularly when outside voices dismiss the disorder as mere “picky eating.” In addition, the pressure to “fix” mealtimes can strain marital relationships, creating disagreements over discipline, feeding strategies, or medical decisions. Parents may also feel emotionally depleted, pouring all their energy into managing one child’s needs while inadvertently neglecting themselves or their other children. Without support, this chronic stress can lead to burnout, depression, and disconnection within the family system. The Role of Providers For clinicians, ARFID must be viewed not only as an individual diagnosis but as a family-wide challenge. Effective care requires attention to both the clinical symptoms and the family dynamics that shape recovery. Parent Support: Educating caregivers that ARFID is not their fault, offering psychoeducation, and helping them reframe mealtime struggles as part of the disorder — not a parenting failure. Family-Based Interventions: Coaching families in structured meal support, communication strategies, and gradual exposure work so parents don’t feel powerless. Holistic Care: Involving therapists, dietitians, occupational therapists, and medical providers ensures that the family does not shoulder the weight of treatment alone. When families are validated, supported, and given practical tools, the entire household can begin to heal. Treatment is not only about expanding a child’s food repertoire but also about restoring peace, resilience, and connection at home. Moving Forward ARFID may begin with one individual, but its ripple effects are felt across the entire family system. By addressing both the psychological and relational dimensions, providers can help transform mealtimes from a source of conflict into an opportunity for healing and connection. For those who want to go deeper, we invite you to join our upcoming training on ARFID , where we will explore practical strategies for supporting both clients and their families.
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As a parent, noticing alarming behaviors around food or routines in your child can raise some important questions. You might be asking yourself, “Is this an eating disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or something else entirely?” Understanding the signs and differences between these disorders is key to getting your child effective, timely treatment. In this blog, we’ll break down the overlap between OCD and eating disorders, what signs to watch for, and how to get professional help. If you're a parent wondering “Is my child’s eating disorder actually OCD?” or “OCD vs eating disorder in teens,” know that you’re not alone and you’re in the right place to find specialized care for your child. What Is OCD? Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where unwanted thoughts (obsessions) cause anxiety, leading to repetitive behaviors (compulsions) intended to ease that anxiety. OCD can be focused on any subject. Common obsessions include contamination, perfectionism, scrupulosity, and harm, but sometimes, the content of obsessions can be focused on food, body image, or weight. What Is an Eating Disorder? Eating disorders , like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) involve disturbed eating behaviors and intense concerns about body weight or shape. These conditions go beyond dieting or “picky eating” and can become life-threatening without professional intervention. The Overlap: Why It Can Be Confusing OCD and eating disorders often share similar symptoms : Ritualistic eating (e.g., needing to eat foods in a certain order or at a certain time) Rigid rules about food (like only eating certain food groups or certain amounts of food) Excessive checking (like weighing food or body or repeated checking of expiration dates or thorough cooking) Avoidance behaviors ( like avoiding carbs, fats, or other food groups or avoiding places or objects that can trigger obsessions) Distress when routines are disrupted (either around mealtimes or exercise routines) So, How Can You Tell the Difference? Use the following chart to compare and contrast symptoms of OCD and eating disorders.
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