Is fear of dietary fat considered an eating disorder?

Dear Reader,  

You’re right, there’s more to eating habits than anorexia and bulimia. Many people have behaviors that present similarly to an eating disorder but aren’t as frequent or severe. These are called disordered eating behaviors. Some people with disordered eating behaviors avoid entire food groups. However, like most food groups, fat isn’t “good” or “bad.” Eating a moderate amount of fat is important for the body to properly function. 

Although your friends might be trying to look out for you, they might not have a full picture of your eating habits. If you find your eating is causing you anxiety or distress or impacting your daily life, you could speak with a health care provider or dietitian about the possibility of having some disordered eating behaviors.  

What’s the difference between an eating disorder and disordered eating?  

An eating disorder is a medical diagnosis, referring to eating habits that harm someone’s health and daily functioning. Someone with an eating disorder might have obsessive thoughts about food. They could also struggle to function in daily life because of restrictive eating, binge eating, or purging. Disordered eating, on the other hand, refers to behaviors that resemble an eating disorder but are less frequent or severe.   

Some examples of disordered eating behaviors might include:  

• Occasionally binging or purging
• Occasionally restricting calorie intake
• Avoiding food groups
• Eating because of emotions, anxiety, or other reasons not related to hunger 

List adapted from VeryWell Mind  

Why is dietary fat necessary for the body?  

It’s a common misconception that all fats are bad for you. However, there are a variety of types of fat that all serve different purposes in the body. The body needs dietary fat to function properly, given that fats make up the walls of cells and help carry vitamins around the body. They also provide a feeling of “fullness” that tells you when you’re no longer hungry.  

In the early 2000s, the media and health organizations often recommended that people limit their fat intake as much as possible. Fat was treated as the “villain” of food groups, and low-fat options became very popular. However, since fat plays an important role in taste and fullness, products often replace fat with something like sugar. Since the early 2000s, the United States Dietary Guidelines for Americans has recommended a moderate-fat intake as part of a healthy diet.  

How might what others say be contributing to how you feel about yourself? 

You mention that it’s your friends who say your eating habits are “obsessive.” Sometimes, other people can help you identify patterns you don’t notice. However, they can also make assumptions when they don’t know your full experience. As you explore how to move forward, you can reflect on the following questions:  

• How does it make you feel when your friends make these comments? 
• Did you notice your eating habits before your friends mentioned them to you?
• Do you feel like your eating habits are getting in the way of your daily life?  

Fat isn’t friend or foe—it’s an important part of a balanced diet. If you feel confident in your eating habits, you could consider telling your friends that you aren’t comfortable with their comments. Additionally, if you notice that you’re becoming anxious or your eating is impacting your daily life, consider reaching out to a health care or mental health provider focused on eating and nutrition. They may be able to offer you support in identifying and modifying these habits.  

All the best,