
Eating Concerns & Body Image
How would you describe your relationship with food and your body?
Eating disorders and body image issues affect people of all shapes, sizes, genders, races, orientations, and ages. Furthermore, disordered eating can manifest in a variety of different behaviors, and poor body image can involve fears of being “too big” or “too small” in any area of the body. Some (but certainly not all) symptoms include:
preoccupation with weight, food, and calories
eating large amounts of food in a short period of time
exercise that significantly interferes with important activities, or distress about not being able to exercise
engaging in compensatory behaviors (vomiting, diet pills, laxative use)
extreme concern with body size and shape
frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws in appearance
feelings of shame, guilt and despair related to appearance or food intake