Social Identities and Eating Disorders

Eating disorders (eds) are complex, and while many people perceive eds as an individual struggle, these conditions are rooted in broader social and structural contexts. Social identities such as socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and race intersect together, which can greatly differ depending on where an individual lives. These factors influence perceptions of beauty, self-worth, and pressures on disordered eating behaviours. Recognizing how these overlapping influences contribute to eating disorders is essential for building prevention and intervention strategies and creating a more compassionate, supportive environment for everyone.

Socioeconomic Status 

Socioeconomic status (SES) plays an important role in the experience of eating disorders. For a long time, eating disorders were thought to mainly affect young, white women from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. However, through recent research it has been found that undergraduate and graduate students with low SES had higher ed rates than those with high SES and that symptoms of eds are present across all socioeconomic levels equally. It is important to note that individuals from lower SES backgrounds are more likely to have barriers when accessing treatment for eating disorders, which can lead to untreated eating disorders that worsen over time. In addition, food insecurity and homelessness, both factors that individuals with low SES are more susceptible to, have been shown to have an association with eds.

Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation 

Gender identity and sexual orientation both significantly impact the risk and experience of eating disorders. Recent studies have shown that compared to heterosexual and cisgender individuals, LGBTQ+ adults and adolescents experience higher rates of eating disorders and disordered eating behaviours. In particular, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals are at an increased risk for these behaviours. It is predicted that the unique stressors such as discrimination, body dysphoria, and pressure to conform to specific body ideals within and outside their community play a role in these ED behaviours. One study speaks about how gender and sexual orientation impact the type of disordered eating thoughts and behaviours people experience. For example, gay men typically showed more concerns about being thin, whereas heterosexual males showed more concerns around being muscular. This speaks to the importance of tailoring intervention strategies to the specific needs and challenges of each individual. 

Race and Ethnicity

Race plays a critical role in the experience and understanding of eating disorders. Historically, eating disorders were seen as a disorder primarily affecting white individuals, which led to the underdiagnosis and treatment of people of colour. Despite all races experiencing eating disorders, marginalized individuals are less likely to receive the supports they need. Cultural attitudes toward body image can vary across racial and ethnic groups, with certain body types being either celebrated or stigmatized within different communities. Additionally, factors such as racism, bias, and discrimination can impact the treatment they receive. One study found that individuals who experienced ethnic discrimination had increased odds of binge eating disorder. Recognizing the impact of race on eating disorders is essential for providing equitable and culturally sensitive care, ensuring that all individuals have access to appropriate support and treatment.

Moving Forward

There are many social identities that impact eating disorders illustrating that eds often reflect broader societal influences. Socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, and race are just some of the social identities that interact to shape how individuals view themselves and actively shape their experiences with eating disorders. Creating supportive and inclusive environments requires a comprehensive understanding about these different identities. 

References 

1. Burke, N. L., Hazzard, V. M., Schaefer, L. M., Simone, M., O’Flynn, J. L., & Rodgers, R. F. (2023). Socioeconomic status and eating disorder prevalence: at the intersections of gender identity, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity. Psychological Medicine, 53(9), 4255–4265. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291722001015

2. Mulders-Jones, B., Mitchison, D., Girosi, F., & Hay, P. (2017). Socioeconomic Correlates of Eating Disorder Symptoms in an Australian Population-Based Sample. PloS One, 12(1), e0170603–e0170603. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0170603

3. Parker, L. L., & Harriger, J. A. (2020). Eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors in the LGBT population: a review of the literature. Journal of Eating Disorders, 8(1), 51–51. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-020-00327-y

4. Knight, R., Preston, C. (2023). Exploring the effects of gender and sexual orientation on disordered eating: an EFA to CFA study of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire. Journal of Eating Disorders, 11(100). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00821-z

5. Kim, N. (nd). Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and eating disorders. NEDA. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/bipoc-and-eating-disorders/

6. Raney, J. H., Al-Shoaibi, A. A., Shao, I. Y., Ganson, K. T., Testa, A., Jackson, D. B., He, J., Glidden, D. V., & Nagata, J. M. (2023). Racial discrimination is associated with binge-eating disorder in early adolescents: a cross-sectional analysis. Journal of Eating Disorders, 11(1), 1–139. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00866-0