Disordered Eating vs Eating Disorder: What’s the difference?

Disordered Eating vs Eating disorder can be a confusing topic. What is the difference? Is there one? You have probably come across the terms “disordered eating” and “eating disorders” before and wondered what the differences are. So we will cover this topic in this two-part blog series.

As a general overview, both can describe unhealthy eating behaviours. However, disordered eating can be used as an umbrella term for eating practices that are outside the “norm”. While eating disorders represent complex mental health conditions. 

That said, you might think disordered eating is not a big deal. However, both are significant and it is crucial to seek support for them. The right support can help with having a healthier relationship with food, and better self-esteem and quality of life overall. 

In this blog, we will discuss the differences between disordered eating behaviours and eating disorders. Looking at how to recognise the signs. In the second, we will go over what to do if either you or someone you care for is affected. 

Factors that can affect your relationship with food:

Our eating behaviours can be affected by many factors. Our social influences, life stressors, environment and where we are mentally. These factors also play a role in shaping our relationship with food and how we view ourselves. 

On some days, we may feel on top of the world. But other times we may feel a loss of control over our life circumstances. This can lead us to adopt unhealthy eating practices, as a way to cope with the challenges around us. 

It’s no secret that we are constantly flooded by diet culture and unrealistic beauty standards from unhealthy social media influences. This can mess with our self-esteem, especially when paired with experiences of fat shaming, from friends, family or social media. 

These pressures often lead to disordered eating behaviours and eating disorders. The main difference between the two lies in how persistent the unhealthy eating patterns are. As well as how severely the person’s physical and mental health is affected.

What are the differences between disordered eating and eating disorder? 

At times disordered eating and eating disorders are used interchangeably. They both describe unhealthy eating practices that can impact someone’s social life, physical health and mental health. The differences lie in how severely someone’s health and well-being is affected.

Eating disorders for example are clinically diagnosed mental health conditions. These disorders can be described as severe and frequent concerns in someone’s eating behaviour. Which require professional and intensive intervention for recovery. The most common eating disorders you hear of are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. Less commonly known ones include pica, rumination disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED). 

Disordered eating describes many abnormal and irregular eating patterns that do not meet the full diagnosis criteria for eating disorders. Think going on many diets or skipping meals for example . Disordered eating habits are not as frequent as in eating disorders. However, disordered eating can be an early sign of eating disorders. It is key to get support fast if you notice any tell-tell signs for them.

Signs of common eating disorders:

Anorexia Nervosa:

• Frequently being preoccupied with counting calories.
• Having an extreme restriction of food
• Fear of gaining weight
• Feeling anxious about eating
• Having a distorted body image
• Having a low BMI

Bulimia Nervosa:

• Frequently restricting food intake, followed by food binges.
• Compensating with purging, using laxatives, or exercising.
• There can be tooth decay or injured knuckles because of the vomiting.  

Binge Eating Disorder:

• Frequently eating large amounts of food in a short period without purging. 

Signs of disordered eating: 

• Having a distorted body image  – tying self-esteem to body weight 
• Having a preoccupation with food or reading food labels
• Skipping meals
• Dieting
• Using food to cope with boredom or negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, and depression i.e. emotional eating
• Feeling uncomfortable eating in front of others
• Obsessively counting calories

From the above signs, we can see that when we think about disordered eating vs eating disorders, they share similarities. Unhealthy views about food, distorted body image and unhealthy coping mechanisms can all play part. As can ways of dealing with stress, anxiety and depression or feeling a loss of control over challenging life circumstances. However, the difference is that the signs of disordered eating are not as frequent or severe as in eating disorders. 

It is important to note that eating disorders are not a lifestyle choice. Genetic and psychological factors may influence them. Disordered eating is more common, because of the harmful diets and body image views that are shared in our culture. 

Other differences of disordered eating vs eating disorder are the physical consequences. Eating disorders can lead to nutritional deficiencies, muscle wasting or obesity, physical illnesses, depression, self-harm, suicidal tendencies or early death. The effects of disordered eating may not be as severe initially, but could spiral if the disordered eating persists. This is why professional intervention is so key. 

Putting the two terms in a Venn diagram might be a simpler demonstration of their differences and similarity.  

In a nutshell :

In a nutshell, both disordered eating practices and eating disorders indicate abnormal eating behaviours. With more emphasis on eating disorders being critical mental illnesses that require intensive treatment and support for recovery. If someone is fixated on weight loss, is skipping meals lots, this is a clear sign of disordered eating. So if the behaviour persists over a long period then this can be an ealy sign of an eating disorder. 

If you notice any red flags then this is what to do. It is crucial to raise concerns with the person and seek support from a professional. First stop should always be your doctor. You can also contact the BEAT helpline.

We are always happy to help you in the Dietitian UK clinic. So why not reach out?

Look out for part 2 where we will be diving into understanding how abnormal eating behaviours differ from normal eating.

This post was Written by Aisia Mushi student dietitian, supervised by Priya Tew