Eating disorders and disordered eating habits are complex and nuanced subjects. They manifest in various forms and affect individuals differently, making it challenging to distinguish between disordered eating and an eating disorder. While many people may engage in disordered eating behaviors occasionally, this does not necessarily indicate an eating disorder. Conversely, not everyone with an eating disorder fits the stereotypical image associated with these conditions. Eating disorders often thrive in secrecy, with signs that can be subtle and easily overlooked.
What is Body Checking?
One such potential sign of an eating disorder is a behavior known as ‘body checking.’ This is an obsession with the body’s shape, size, and weight, as well as other people’s perception of your body. Obsessive body checking examples include:
- Obsession with the scale and weighing yourself
- Spending hours in the mirror scrutinizing your body and focusing on perceived ‘problem areas’
- Obsessively taking photos and videos of your body to ‘track progress’
- Continuously comparing yourself to others
- Checking the circumference of the wrist and waist
- Feeling for bones in wrists, ribcage, or hips
- Obsession over clothing tags and sizing labels
Body checking is particularly prevalent on social media, where influencers and groups that support disordered eating behaviors often share triggering images. These images can generate feelings of anxiety, depression, and lowered self-esteem. Avoiding such triggers during recovery can help reduce the risk of relapse.
Body Checking and Other Signs of Disordered Eating
Body checking alone is not necessarily a cause for concern. However, when combined with other disordered behaviors, it can signal an underlying problem. Eating disorders are often covert conditions, making them difficult to detect without proper knowledge. This is largely because of social attitudes around body image and diet culture, which promotes the idea that health is associated with being a specific size, in a specific body fat range, or having specific features. None of this is true. Here are just a few examples of common behaviors and habits that are potential signs of an eating disorder.
Exercise Addiction
While regular exercise is beneficial for a healthy lifestyle, exercise addiction is a real and dangerous issue. Symptoms of exercise addiction include:
- Fixation on burning a specific number of calories
- Exercising despite pain or to the point of exhaustion
- Maintaining an inflexible gym regimen
- Using exercise as punishment for ‘overconsumption’
Individuals with exercise addiction may struggle to maintain a balanced and healthy approach to physical activity, putting undue stress on their bodies and minds.
Toxic Diet Culture and Strict Diets Adherence
Diet culture teaches us to categorize foods as ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ promoting the idea that constant caloric deficits or avoiding eating after certain times are necessary for health. This mindset can lead to following an extremely strict diet that places undue stress on the body and can cause serious health issues. The pressure to conform to such standards contributes to disordered eating behaviors.
The Dangers of Thinspiration
Following ‘thinspiration’ accounts or boards can be harmful to mental health. These accounts often feature fitness influencers, models, or others who may make individuals feel bad about their bodies. The negative comparisons feed self-esteem and body image issues, even if one believes that following these accounts keeps them accountable.
Seeking Help
If you or a loved one are struggling with obsessive body checking, exercise addiction, body image issues, or the pressures of strict diet adherence, it is crucial to seek help. At Eating Disorder Solutions, we understand the complexities of eating disorders and offer support and treatment tailored to individual needs. Reach out today for a conversation about your options and begin your journey to recovery.
