For many teens, lunch is a highlight of the day. Finally, a moment to catch up with classmates, share a bag of chips with a friend, and give your brain a breather. But for teens with an eating disorder, that lunch break—or any meal—can bring feelings of stress and anxiety.
That’s because eating disorders affect how people think and feel about food and eating.
Eating disorders are serious conditions. If untreated, they can cause long-term health issues and even death. But eating disorders are not always well understood. “People often don’t know exactly what eating disorders are,” says Elizabet Altunkara of the National Eating Disorders Association.
Many people have misconceptions about who is affected by eating disorders and what causes them. These misconceptions can do real damage. For example, you might have an image in your mind of what a person with an eating disorder looks or acts like. If you don’t fit this image, you might not be aware that you have a disorder or are in danger of developing one. If a friend doesn’t fit the image, you might miss red flags in their behavior around food, and you might not realize that they actually need help.
The good news is that there are many things you can do to ensure you have a healthy relationship with food. Eat a variety of foods, and try not to label any specific food as “good” or “bad.” Eat when your body feels hungry, and stop eating when you feel full. Focus on all the amazing things your body can do, rather than what it looks like. If you see content on social media that makes you feel bad about your body, unfollow or scroll past it!
Educating yourself about eating disorders is another important way to avoid falling into an unhealthy relationship with food. Use this quiz to learn the truth about eating disorders and where to get help if you need it.