We’ve all heard it — “Check your BMI to see if you’re healthy.” For decades, that simple equation of weight and height has shaped how society — and even healthcare — defines what’s “normal.” But what if the very number we’ve been taught to trust doesn’t actually reflect our health at all? For many individuals — particularly those recovering from eating disorders — BMI can distort reality, fueling shame and distraction instead of supporting healing and balance. Why BMI Falls

As the days grow longer and the weather warms up, summer often arrives wrapped in promises of fun, freedom, and relaxation. But behind the sunny skies and beach outings, many individuals—especially those navigating eating disorders or body image concerns—find themselves under a unique kind of pressure. In fact, a study found that hospital admissions for eating disorders significantly increase during the summer months ( Liang et al., 2018) . This startling statistic underscore

A Guide for Early Intervention Eating disorders can affect people of all ages, including teenagers. Eating disorders don't have a "look," a gender, or an age limit.  They can affect anyone , including teens who may appear otherwise healthy or happy on the outside. Here are some signs to look for when you suspect a teen has an eating disorder: Changes in eating habits : Pay attention to changes in your teen's eating habits. Are they skipping meals or avoiding certain foods gro

When we hear the term “ picky eater ,” we often think of a child refusing vegetables or someone skipping onions on their burger. But what happens when the avoidance of food goes beyond preference and starts affecting one’s health, growth, and daily life? Enter ARFID , or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder —a lesser-known but very real eating disorder that deserves our attention. What Is ARFID? ARFID is not about body image or weight concerns. Unlike anorexia or bulimia

"Do you find yourself feeling run-down even though you’re training hard and eating what seems like a healthy diet?" "Have your workouts started to feel harder than usual, and your performance is declining?" "Have you lost your menstrual cycle or noticed frequent injuries that just won’t heal?" Here’s What You Need to Know. These could be more than just signs of overtraining — they might point to a condition called Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). What Is RED-S? Re

Is dairy bad for you? Can you cut dairy for weight loss? Should you avoid milk if you have digestive issues? These are common questions many people ask, especially those in eating disorder recovery. With conflicting information about health, weight, and digestion, many people avoid dairy—sometimes unnecessarily. But is eliminating dairy truly beneficial, or could it be doing more harm than good? Addressing Dairy Misconceptions in Eating Disorder Recovery Misconceptions about

In a culture that often celebrates physical strength and the "ideal" male body, a growing number of boys are silently struggling with a little-known but increasingly common condition: bigorexia, also known as muscle dysmorphia. Unlike typical concerns about body weight, bigorexia centers around the obsessive belief that one's body is too small or not muscular enough, even when that isn't the case. What is Bigorexia? Bigorexia is a type of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a men

As a parent, it can be heartbreaking to ponder if your child is battling with an eating disorder. At first, you may see it as something trivial— teens counting calories & skipping meals— Haven't we all experienced this when we were young? But then, the next time, you start noticing the subtle shifts: frequently withdrawing from food, anxious about family dinners, and having intensified body image concerns. Over time, these behaviors escalate to frequent trips to the bathroom