Diversity - Where Eating Disorder Awareness and Treatment is Lacking
As we near the end of Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW) 2023, we wanted to present ways in which the eating disorder treatment field is lacking, especially when it comes to diversity. The team here at F&F is very open about our privileges as humans living in today’s society. I can speak for all three of us in saying that we’re all white, cis-gendered, able-bodied, well-educated individuals with thin privilege. These privileges give us leverage and impact our lens in many ways, even in our roles as providers in the eating disorder treatment community.
The challenges around eating disorder treatment are well-documented, including the lack of accessibility for treatment options, lack of diversity among staff, challenges around insurance coverage, the financial investment, and many fears around receiving the treatment or support. We see these challenges on a weekly basis, we hear our patients. In a recent survey of 512 participants representing clinical staff in the eating disorder field, 73% identified as white, 84% identified as cis-gendered women, and 64% identified as being in the “normal” weight range according to BMI standards. As you can see here, there’s very limited diversity among this sample size, which we can imagine reflects the larger ED treatment provider community.
Earlier this week, we addressed the severity and prevalence of eating disorders by sharing facts and statistics. Then, we highlighted the shortcomings of eating disorder diagnoses, offering a reminder that one is worthy and deserving of support whether or not they have been given a clinical diagnosis. What about the lack of diversity? - in resources, providers, treatment centers, on social media. Diversity is essential to foster validation by bringing together different experiences, voices, and ideas. Where we can listen and learn about others’ experiences and challenge the implicit biases and judgements found in our core as a human. Ultimately, this is where we become better healthcare providers (and humans) and determine more effective treatment options for those with marginalized identities, which of course must start with better, more inclusive research.
In a culture that inaccurately assumes eating disorders are representative of thin, white, cis-gendered young women, as this is typically what we see portrayed in the media, too often, folx feel isolated in seeking support; especially those whose appearance or experiences do not align with this portrayal. Oftentimes, signs and symptoms of maladaptive eating behaviors can be missed in marginalized communities due to the lack of eating disorder research, resources, and education centered around their experiences.
It would be inappropriate to center my voice in attempts to summarize the lived experiences of those in marginalized communities, so we’d like to share many resources below for you, loved ones, other clinicians, and other healthcare providers.
If you are feeling isolated in this community of eating disorder recovery, I want to leave you with these resources from incredible individuals and organizations to, hopefully, receive the support you deserve and are worthy of. What we have learned as clinicians here at F&F, is that not all spaces feel safe, even if we’re trying our very best to create safe spaces for our clients. You deserve a safe space.
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of articles supporting this conversation:
We Need To Talk About Eating Disorders Within The Black Community https://www.essence.com/health-and-wellness/eating-disorders-in-the-black-community/
Diversity and Eating Disorders: Changing the Face of the Diagnosis https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/blog/diversity-eating-disorders-changing-face-diagnosis
Recovering Abundantly in a One-Size-Fits-All World https://asdah.org/recovering-abundantly-in-a-one-size-fits-all-world/
The Impact of Race and Racism on Eating Disorders https://www.verywellmind.com/race-racism-and-eating-disorders-5076344
Neurodiversity, Intersectionality & Why We Need HCBS for Eating Disorders https://www.rdsforneurodiversity.com/blog/neurodiversity-intersectionality-amp-why-we-need-hcbs-for-eating-disorders
Barriers Eating Disorder Healing in the United States - https://www.theprojectheal.org/overview-of-treatment-barriers
Also, a non-exhaustive list of IG accounts for increased diversity in your feed and amazing resources for further support:
@alliancefored - National Alliance for Eating Disorders
@blackandembodied - Alishia McCullough LMHC (she/her)
@decolonizing_fitness - Ilya Parker (he/they)
@diversifydietetics - Diversify Dietetics, specifically https://www.diversifydietetics.org/rd-of-color-directory
@drrachelmillner - Rachel Millner (she/her)
@fedupcollective - The Fed Up Collective
@heydrsand - Dr. Sand Chang (they/them)
@jessicawilson.msrd - Jessica Wilson, MS. RD (she/her)
@nalgonapositivitypride - Gloria Lucas (she)
@pinkmantaray - Schuyler Bailar (he/him/his)
@projectheal - Project Heal
@ragenchastain - Ragen Chastain (she/her)
@thefriendineverwanted - Nia | Body Justice + ED Recovery Coach (they/them)
@thenutritiontea - Shana Minei Spence, MS, RDN, CDN (she/her/hers)
@thirdwheelED - Third WheelED - Boston-based resources for LGBTQIA+ community https://thirdwheeled.com/
@transyogateacher - Heart (formerly Allé) he/him
@whitneytrotter.rd - Whitney Trotter RD (she/her)
@yrfatfriend - Aubrey Gordon (she/her/hers)
@vinccird - Vincci Tsui, RD (she/her)