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When people think about eating disorders, they often imagine only one kind of person—usually a very thin teenage girl. But that picture is not true. Eating disorders can affect anyone. They affect kids, adults, older people, men, women, and people of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds.

What is an eating disorder?

An eating disorder is an illness that affects how someone eats, thinks about food, and feels about their body. Eating disorders are not a choice; they are a serious health problem that requires care and support.

Eating disorders do not care about:

• Age
• Gender
• Body size
• Race or culture
• Who someone loves or how they identify

Anyone can be impacted, even if they don’t look “sick” on the outside.

Adults in their 40s, 50s, and even older can develop eating disorders. Some people struggled when they were younger and then started struggling again later in life. Others develop disordered eating for the first time as adults.

Changes in hormones (such as menopause), stress, personal adjustments (such as divorce or illness), and feeling pressure to look young can make an eating disorder more likely. Doctors and family members often miss the signs in adults because they don’t expect it.

Boys and Men Get Eating Disorders Too

Eating disorders are often seen as a “girls’ problem,” but boys and men can struggle too.

Boys and men may:

• Exercise too much
• Worry a lot about muscles
• Eat very strict diets
• Feel ashamed to ask for help

LGBTQ+ People Face Extra Challenges

People who are LGBTQ+ are more likely to struggle with eating disorders. This can happen because they may face:

• Bullying
• Feeling left out
• Stress about their body
• Fear of not being accepted

Not All Eating Disorders Are About Weight

Some eating disorders are not about wanting to be thin.

One example is called Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). People with ARFID may:

• Avoid many foods
• Be afraid of choking or getting sick
• Not feeling hungry very often
• Have trouble eating enough

Why Hurtful Judgments Make Things Worse

Sometimes people are treated badly because of their body size. This is called weight stigma.

Weight stigma can happen when:

• Doctors don’t listen
• People make comments about weight
• Someone is blamed for their health

This can make people feel ashamed and stop them from asking for help. Feeling judged does not help anyone get better. Kindness does.

Getting Help Early Matters

The sooner someone gets help, the better their chance of feeling better.

Early help can:

• Prevent serious health problems
• Make recovery easier
• Help people return to school, work, and family life

Waiting too long can make recovery harder. That’s why it’s important to notice signs early and take them seriously, no matter who the person is.

What Needs to Change

To truly help everyone, we need to:

• Look Beyond Appearances. You cannot tell if someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them.
• Ask Better Questions. Doctors and teachers should ask about eating habits, stress, and feelings, not just weight.
• Be Kind and Respectful. Everyone should feel safe asking for help without being judged.
• Include All People. Care should welcome people of all ages, genders, body sizes, and identities.

How We Can All Help

You don’t have to be a doctor to make a difference.

You can:

• Be kind about bodies (including your own)
• Avoid teasing or comments about weight
• Speak up if someone seems to be struggling
• Encourage seeking out help

Small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

“Every Body Belongs” means that everyone matters. Eating disorder recovery should not be only for people who fit a certain look or story. It should be for every body, young or old, small or large, male or female, LGBTQ+ or not.

When we fight for change and commit to change, we create a world where more people feel seen, supported, and able to heal. And that is how real recovery happens, for everyone.