If you think someone has an eating disorder, should you say something? A dietitian explains how to express concern without body shaming

A college dietitian and eating disorder survivor writes that fear of saying the wrong thing often leads people to say nothing at all when they notice a friend or family member showing signs of an eating disorder, such as sudden weight loss or skipping meals. She argues that careful, empathetic conversation is preferable to silence, which can normalize dangerous weight loss.

The piece cites research showing eating disorder prevalence roughly doubled worldwide between 2000 and 2018, worsening during the pandemic, and notes anorexia carries a roughly fivefold increased mortality risk compared to the general population. Social media use is linked to greater body image concerns, with one study of young adults finding heavy users had more than double the risk of eating and body image issues.

Public discourse around celebrities' weight changes is cited as an example of the tension between expressing concern and avoiding harmful body commentary, with the author noting that some celebrities' weight loss stemmed from undisclosed illness rather than disorder.

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