The Disconnect Between Public Health and Eating Disorders

When looking at the relationship between public health and eating disorders including their prevention and research there is not a lot available between the two. When discussing the overall burden and public issues eating disorders are causing, S Byrn Austin said “Public health professionals have yet to take up the challenge” (2012). This quote is a perfect introduction to the gaps that I have found between public health and eating disorders. First, there is a lack of attention and awareness in the public health community when it comes to these mental disorders. Another gap is how public health efforts to reduce the current obesity epidemic impact the development of eating disorders. Lastly, there should be further focus on increasing education about eating disorders in primary schools (K-12) and within the public health academic curriculum.

A Lack of Attention/Awareness in the Public Health Community

While looking for information on how public health studies have impacted the treatment, prevention, and identification of eating disorders there was not much recent evidence to be found. This is extremely noticeable in the Healthy People Initiatives. Healthy People 2030 fails to mention any objectives that aim to increase the health of individuals with eating disorders. However, the initiative’s section on mental health/mental disorders mentions improving rates of children with mental health disorders getting proper treatment but there is no specific mention of eating disorders (Healthy People, n.d.). Along with the failure to discuss aims for improving health of individuals suffering from eating disorders, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has only two questions on body weight and zero questions on disordered eating behavior in their 2019 YRBSS (CDC, 2020). With a lack of attention given to the subject it is easy to understand why there are so little public health studies done and why the majority of the research is primarily performed by therapists and dietitians. One way to increase awareness in the public health community is to promote inter-professional collaboration work between public health professionals and nutritionists.

Public Health Obesity Prevention and Reduction Efforts as a Cause of Eating Disorders

With the increase of obesity across all levels of the United States population, public health professionals have been working overtime to counteract this epidemic. These countermeasures come in the form of nutrition and dieting information, restricting what foods can be sold and in what sizes, and an emphasis on physical activity. While these are necessary for prevention and treatment, an overload of anti-fat or thin is healthy concepts can drive individuals into unhealthy eating habits. These habits can eventually evolve into full blown eating disorders and put their lives at even more risk. A 2020 systematic review by Leme et al., reviewed the effects two different obesity prevention strategies and the risk factors associated with eating disorders. The review found a handful of studies that concluded an increase in unhealthy eating behavior among participants during the follow up period. The review concluded that although this was a small amount, it is something that deserves more attention and research from the public health community (Leme et al., 2020). A way to solve this issue and close the gap is to reduce the stigma around obesity in the medical world.

Increased Childhood and Public Health Education on Eating Disorders

As mentioned above with the increase in education on proper nutrition, dieting, and healthy behaviors in response to obesity, similar educational material should be discussed in more detail when it comes to eating disorders. Eating disorders are more likely to develop during your youth and having more knowledge on what they are and how they can manifest is critical for teens and young adults to recognize their own health and seek out treatment if needed (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], n.d.). Increasing coverage on eating disorders should not just consist of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder (BED) but should also include topics such as Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Orthorexia, and other specified eating and feeding disorders (OSFED). This type of education can be given to students from their health teachers, P.E. teachers, or by having guest presentations at schools to raise awareness.