In honor of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, today I'm tackling the data on Eating Disorders. **Trigger Warning**This is a weighty and emotional topic. If you're recovering from an ED or have been diagnosed already, you may want to just skip this episode in case you find it triggering.

My purpose today is to expose the many symptoms of eating disorders and alert you to the reality that some of what we consider "normal" in our health culture is actually disordered eating or eating disorder behavior. Almost 30 million Americans have or will have an eating disorder sometime during their lifetime. Many eating disorders go undetected and only 6% of people with eating disorders are underweight. Dieting and restriction are not the pathways to health. In fact, the data shows the opposite. Dieting and food or food group restriction is ineffective at best and could lead to the dangers of disordered eating. Improving your body image doesn't mean you disregard your physical health or ignore the signals when the foods you eat make you feel bad. But food avoidance, food fear, and calorie restriction have consequences that we should all be aware of.

Candidly, I would have told you a few years ago there was nothing "unhealthy" about dieting and restricting. I believed this was the only way to have a healthier body. But, now I've learned that this thinking is the same as that which accompanies disordered eating and the mental illness of eating disorder. Yes, it's a mental illness. I think it's time we stop encouraging people to develop a mental illness so their bodies can meet a cultural standard.

Here's where we go in today's episode:
We talk about how EDNOS--the category Heather used to associate with--is no longer a category and why.
The fine line between eliminating foods for other health reasons and triggering an eating disorder.
How dieting can lead to eating disorders.
Why food shouldn't be a threat to our identity--and yet, somehow, it feels like it is.
The most common emotional and physical symptoms of eating disorders
And, more... If You're Battling Disordered Eating or Eating Disorders Check Out These Resources: 

Today's research came straight from the National Eating Disorder Awareness homepage. You can access the data I read today and so much more information on eating disorders here:  https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics-research-eating-disorders

If you think you have an eating disorder, please check out this list of suggested resources here: https://comparedtowho.me/eating-disorder-resources/

Interested in coaching or joining the next coaching group that begins April 4th? Learn more on the coaching tab here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/coaching

Connect with Compared to Who? here: https://www.comparedtowho.me

In honor of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, today I'm tackling the data on Eating Disorders. **Trigger Warning**This is a weighty and emotional topic. If you're recovering from an ED or have been diagnosed already, you may want to just skip this episode in case you find it triggering. My purpose today is to expose the many symptoms of eating disorders and alert you to the reality that some of what we consider "normal" in our health culture is actually disordered eating or eating disorder behavior. Almost 30 million Americans have or will have an eating disorder sometime during their lifetime. Many eating disorders go undetected and only 6% of people with eating disorders are underweight. Dieting and restriction are not the pathways to health. In fact, the data shows the opposite. Dieting and food or food group restriction is ineffective at best and could lead to the dangers of disordered eating. Improving your body image doesn't mean you disregard your physical health or ignore the signals when the foods you eat make you feel bad. But food avoidance, food fear, and calorie restriction have consequences that we should all be aware of. Candidly, I would have told you a few years ago there was nothing "unhealthy" about dieting and restricting. I believed this was the only way to have a healthier body. But, now I've learned that this thinking is the same as that which accompanies disordered eating and the mental illness of eating disorder. Yes, it's a mental illness. I think it's time we stop encouraging people to develop a mental illness so their bodies can meet a cultural standard. Here's where we go in today's episode: <ul> <li>We talk about how EDNOS--the category Heather used to associate with--is no longer a category and why.</li> <li>The fine line between eliminating foods for other health reasons and triggering an eating disorder.</li> <li>How dieting can lead to eating disorders.</li> <li>Why food shouldn't be a threat to our identity--and yet, somehow, it feels like it is.</li> <li>The most common emotional and physical symptoms of eating disorders</li> <li>And, more...</li> </ul> If You're Battling Disordered Eating or Eating Disorders Check Out These Resources: Today's research came straight from the National Eating Disorder Awareness homepage. You can access the data I read today and so much more information on eating disorders here: <a href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics-research-eating-disorders"> https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics-research-eating-disorders</a> If you think you have an eating disorder, please check out this list of suggested resources here: <a href="https://comparedtowho.me/eating-disorder-resources/">https://comparedtowho.me/eating-disorder-resources/</a> Interested in coaching or joining the next coaching group that begins April 4th? Learn more on the coaching tab here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/coaching Connect with Compared to Who? here: <a href="https://www.comparedtowho.me">https://www.comparedtowho.me</a>

**The Go-to Podcast for Christian women who want to improve their body image and stop comparing themselves to others!**
Are you a Christian woman who is tired of the same old answers to your body image and comparison struggles? 
Have you "tried everything," yet still feel like your body isn't enough or should be better? 
Do you know that "God looks at the heart" or "You're fearfully and wonderfully made" yet STILL feel like maybe God should have made your body better?
Bonus: Have you ever prayed for God to zap you skinny? ;) (Your secret is safe here.)

If you answered yes to any of the above, then Compared to Who? A Biblical Approach to Body Image Issues is the show for you!

Twice a week, we tackle tough topics like feeling out of control with food, body shame, disordered eating, weight loss, aging, dieting, body dysmorphia, body hatred, and more from a practical, grace-filled, biblical, and gospel-centered perspective.

I'm Heather Creekmore, author of several books (including a forthcoming body image workbook), speaker, and Christian body image coach. Our approach to body image issues is relatable, authentic, and truth-driven. We hope every episode is filled with grace and hope for your personal struggle. I spent decades battling the scale and the mirror. But, now I help women get free from body image issues so they can stop comparing and start living. Listen to laugh about all the common ways we struggle and find encouragement for our journey.

Find out more about Heather Creekmore and the ministry of Compared to Who? or to get Christian body image coaching, visit: https://www.comparedtowho.me

Want to join our podcast community on Facebook? Visit the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024

**The Go-to Podcast for Christian women who want to improve their body image and stop comparing themselves to others!**
<ul>
<li>Are you a Christian woman who is tired of the same old answers to your body image and comparison struggles? </li>
<li>Have you "tried everything," yet still feel like your body isn't enough or should be better? </li>
<li>Do you know that "God looks at the heart" or "You're fearfully and wonderfully made" yet STILL feel like maybe God should have made your body better?</li>
<li>Bonus: Have you ever prayed for God to zap you skinny? ;) (Your secret is safe here.)</li>
</ul>
If you answered yes to any of the above, then Compared to Who? A Biblical Approach to Body Image Issues is the show for you!
Twice a week, we tackle tough topics like feeling out of control with food, body shame, disordered eating, weight loss, aging, dieting, body dysmorphia, body hatred, and more from a practical, grace-filled, biblical, and gospel-centered perspective.
I'm Heather Creekmore, author of several books (including a forthcoming body image workbook), speaker, and Christian body image coach. Our approach to body image issues is relatable, authentic, and truth-driven. We hope every episode is filled with grace and hope for your personal struggle. I spent decades battling the scale and the mirror. But, now I help women get free from body image issues so they can stop comparing and start living. Listen to laugh about all the common ways we struggle and find encouragement for our journey.
Find out more about Heather Creekmore and the ministry of Compared to Who? or to get Christian body image coaching, visit: <a href="https://www.comparedtowho.me">https://www.comparedtowho.me</a> 
Want to join our podcast community on Facebook? Visit the group here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024">https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024</a>

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