Intermittent fasting (IF) has become a popular dietary trend, with nearly one-quarter (24 percent) of Americans trying it at some point. While many advocate for its benefits, others raise concerns about its potential to mask or trigger eating disorders. This post will explore intermittent fasting, its similarities and differences with eating disorders, and who should approach it with caution.
What Is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting. For example, the 16/8 method entails fasting for 16 hours and consuming all daily calories within an 8-hour window. Many people adopt intermittent fasting to lose weight by restricting their eating to a specific timeframe, making it easier to control calorie intake and avoid overeating.
Proponents also claim health benefits like reduced inflammation and improved metabolic health, although research on these effects is limited. Studies suggest that while intermittent fasting can aid in weight loss, its benefits may not be significantly more significant than those of traditional calorie-restricted diets.
Is Intermittent Fasting Classified as an Eating Disorder?
Intermittent fasting itself isn’t classified as an eating disorder. However, there are notable overlaps with conditions such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. Understanding these similarities can help identify when intermittent fasting may become problematic. For instance, the restrictive eating patterns seen in intermittent fasting can mimic those in anorexia, while the cycle of fasting and feasting may resemble behaviors in bulimia or binge eating disorder.
Can Intermittent Fasting Cause Eating Disorders?
The transition from intermittent fasting to an eating disorder often involves a change in intention and mindset. For instance, striving to eat as little as possible during the eating window or continually extending the fasting period can indicate an unhealthy relationship with food. Over time, these behaviors can develop into full-blown eating disorders, marked by a preoccupation with food, body image, and control over eating habits, ultimately leading to severe physical and mental health issues.
Intermittent Fasting and Anorexia
Both intermittent fasting and anorexia involve prolonged periods without eating. While intermittent fasting includes a designated eating window to consume necessary calories, some individuals may still restrict their intake excessively, mirroring anorexic behaviors.
Intermittent Fasting and Bulimia
Intermittent fasting can also resemble bulimia nervosa. Individuals may overeat during their eating window and then engage in purging behaviors, such as vomiting, laxative use, or overexercising, to compensate for calorie intake.
Intermittent Fasting and Binge Eating Disorder
Intermittent fasting can exacerbate binge eating disorder symptoms. The extended fasting period may lead to intense hunger, resulting in overeating during the eating window. This cycle of restriction and bingeing can be challenging to break.
Who Should Avoid Intermittent Fasting?
While some individuals can practice intermittent fasting healthily and effectively, for others, it may lead to harmful behaviors or exacerbate existing health conditions. Here are some groups who should consider avoiding intermittent fasting:
You Have a History of Disordered Eating
Whether you’ve been diagnosed with an eating disorder in the past or have a history of restricting, bingeing, or purging, steer clear of intermittent fasting.
Those with a history of disordered eating will likely struggle more than the average person to maintain a healthy mindset around IF. They may be too rigid or restrictive, increasing their chances of sliding back into eating disorder territory.
You Have High Caloric Needs
If you’re under the age of 18, are underweight, pregnant, or breastfeeding, intermittent fasting is likely not an ideal practice for you.
Those with high caloric needs often struggle to eat enough when they limit themselves to a shorter eating window. They find they get full too quickly and end up under-eating, which is counterintuitive to their goals and health needs.
You Have Frequent Digestive Issues
If you often struggle with poor digestion and symptoms like bloating, constipation, or gas, intermittent fasting might make things worse.
Eating a lot of food in a short window could aggravate your symptoms. Instead, you might be better off eating regularly and more frequently throughout the day.
You Have Diabetes or Blood Sugar Regulation Issues
Those with diabetes or other problems related to blood sugar regulation may worsen their symptoms if they experiment with intermittent fasting.
Restricting their calories to a particular window may lead to frequent drops in blood sugar and can contribute to other, more severe health issues (especially for diabetics).
Your Job Requires Focus and Attention to Detail
If you’re a student or have a job that requires a lot of focus and attention to detail, intermittent fasting may interfere with your performance. It may be particularly problematic if you also struggle with blood sugar regulation.
Dips in blood sugar can lead to fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. None of these symptoms are ideal when trying to complete a big project or plan for an important meeting.
Get Eating Disorder Support Today
Intermittent fasting doesn’t inherently lead to eating disorders but can be risky for those susceptible to disordered eating. If you suspect you might have an unhealthy relationship with food, seeking help early is crucial.
At Eating Disorder Solutions, we offer support and guidance. Reach out to us through our website or call us at 888-217-5233 for a free consultation.
