Body Dysmorphia & Eating Disorders : The Link Between Body Image and Unhealthy Eating Habits

Body dysmorphia is a mental disorder that is related to one’s body image. Every person has to deal with their body image at some point or the other. Body dysmorphia alters the way one views oneself physically. Sometimes excessive negative thoughts about our bodies or comparing our bodies with others can lead to various harmful effects on our health, and one of the negative effects of body dysmorphia is it can lead to unhealthy eating habits that can cause more harm to our health and well-being. So somehow body dysmorphia is linked to eating disorders. As we read further, we will examine how body image is connected with eating disorders.

Body dysmorphia, also known as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a condition in which the affected persons are highly preoccupied with perceived flaws in their body image or physical appearance. Sometimes, such perceived imperfections regarding our body image are not even noticed by others still impact our mental health.

Body dysmorphia can co-occur with other disorders, such as eating disorders like anorexia nervosa. In certain cases, this can even be the cause of developing an eating disorder. Both these disorders share some similar symptoms, which revolve around a preoccupation with physical appearance, struggle with body image, and distorted body image.⁽¹⁾

Body dysmorphia is more common in both men and women than bulimia or anorexia. In the U.S. about 2.5% of women and 2.2% of men meet the criteria for body dysmorphia,⁽²⁾ and that is higher than the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia in the general population.

Experts believe that there is no single cause for body dysmorphia. This condition results from a complex combination of environmental, psychological, and biological factors. However, some risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing body dysmorphia. These risk factors include:

• Negative social experiences, such as bullying, teasing, or ragging, can heighten feelings of fear, shame, and anxiety.
• Certain personality traits like perfectionism.
• A family history of body dysmorphia or any similar mental disorder.
• Abnormal brain chemistry.
• Specific adverse life experiences.

Body dysmorphia can have the following common symptoms.

• Constantly checking the body in mirrors.
• Avoiding the mirror altogether.
• Comparing self with others.
• Frequently asking others for reassurance about your physical appearance.
• Obsessively grooming and/or exercising.
• Using too much makeup, and accessories like scarves and hats to hide various parts of the body.
• Seeking out unnecessary plastic surgeries to look better or change their appearance.
• Being isolated from others.
• Having low self-esteem.
• Health problems like dehydration, malnutrition, and electronic imbalances.
• In some extreme cases, people with body dysmorphia can also experience symptoms of severe feelings of anxiety and depression.
• People with body dysmorphia even have suicidal ideations.⁽³⁾

Eating disorders are conditions or behavioral patterns that involve abnormal eating regularly. There is a variety of eating disorders and all of these disorders can pose a threat to our health as they are either excessive or restrictive eating in regards to caloric intake and can affect the amount of nutrients in the body. Anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and bulimia nervosa are some commonly known eating disorders. One needs to have control over their eating habits. If not well-controlled, eating disorders can become a serious threat to health. However, being able to spot signs of unhealthy eating habits can make a huge difference in treating or managing the condition.⁽⁴⁾

Here comes our main topic of interest, and that is, “How body image is connected with eating disorders?” Many symptoms and behaviors associated with body dysmorphia and eating disorders can overlap. People with body dysmorphia who are preoccupied with the shape and size of their body or weight are at higher risk of developing an eating disorder.

Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) surveyed more than 1, 600 health club members taken via social media. It was found that the total number of individuals with body dysmorphia was twelve times higher among those with suspected eating disorders. About 30% of participants indicated certain forms of eating disorders, and the researchers noticed that 76% of those participants also suffered from body dysmorphia.⁽⁵⁾

Although not every person with body dysmorphia has an eating disorder or vice versa, the two conditions are closely related. According to a paper on body image distortion that was recently updated, misperceptions of body image are quite common in eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.⁽⁶⁾ A study has found that out of 200 people diagnosed with body dysmorphia, 32.5% of them had an eating disorder.⁽⁷⁾

For some individuals, body dysmorphia offers an opportunity for behaviors of disordered eating to creep in as a means to help them fix themselves. However, practically this is not always possible.

Talking about body dysmorphia seems to be quite critical as it has been misunderstood and can negatively impact one’s mental health. However, if you suspect someone dealing with the condition, come forward and seek medical attention. Usually, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and specific medications can help control body dysmorphia. And for people who are struggling with eating disorders because of body dysmorphia, it is essential to normalize their eating habits. Apart from this, people with body dysmorphia and eating disorders can be healed by adequate nutrition and medication (when appropriate).

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