People with an eating disorder are more stigmatised than those suffering with depression, according to a new study.
University of South Australia Honours student Carlye Aird said the study showed that despite one million Australians experiencing an eating disorder (ED), those with the condition were harshly judged.
“Our findings show that people with eating disorders face significant social stigma, which can make it even harder for them to seek help,” Ms Aird said.
“Misconceptions that these disorders are self-inflicted or not serious enough to warrant medical attention are incredibly harmful.”
She said binge eating, which accounts for half of ED cases, was perceived as the most trivial.
“While all three eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorder) were stigmatised more than depression, binge eating was linked to weight-related stereotypes and more harshly perceived.”
Ms Aird said ED were growing at an alarming rate among young Australians especially, as demonstrated by a 62 percent increase in ED presentations among children and adolescents between 2018 and 2020.
She said anorexia nervosa had the highest mortality rate of all psychological disorders, affecting around 30,000 Australians, while approximately 120,000 Australians have bulimia nervosa.
Study co-author Stephanie Webb said public education and awareness was crucial to reducing stigma and ensuring individuals with eating disorders received the support they needed.
“We need to shift the conversation around eating disorders and challenge the myths that they are simply a lifestyle choice or a sign of personal weakness,” Dr Webb said.
“By reducing the stigma, it will encourage people with eating disorders to seek professional help earlier and improve the outcomes, ultimately saving lives in some cases.”
Read the full study: Comparing social stigma of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder: A quantitative experimental study.
