Why Eating Disorders Are About More Than Food
- Milly Feliz
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
Eating disorders are often misunderstood. They’re commonly reduced to eating habits, body image, or food choices, but clinically, they are much more complex. From a mental health perspective, eating disorders are deeply connected to how people cope with emotions, self-worth, stress, and their environment.
They affect people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds, and understanding their roots is essential for meaningful support and recovery.
Eating disorders as coping strategies
In many cases, eating behaviours become a way to manage internal experiences that feel difficult to regulate. Restricting, controlling, or obsessing over food can temporarily reduce anxiety, create a sense of control, or distract from emotional pain.
This doesn’t mean the behaviour is helpful, but it explains why it develops.
Clinically, eating disorders are often associated with:
This is why treatment focuses on mental health, not just eating patterns.
The role of self-esteem
Self-esteem plays a significant role in how eating disorders develop and persist. When someone’s sense of worth becomes tied to appearance, control, or external validation, food and body image can become tools for measuring “success” or “failure.”
Low self-esteem doesn’t always look obvious. It can show up in people who appear high-functioning, driven, or outwardly confident, including adults and teens of all genders.
Addressing self-worth is a core part of eating disorder treatment, because without it, changes around food alone are often short-lived.
Culture and social media influences
Cultural expectations and social media have a powerful impact on how people relate to food and their bodies. Diet culture, productivity ideals, and constant exposure to curated images can reinforce the belief that certain bodies, eating styles, or levels of control are more acceptable than others.
In cities like Toronto and Etobicoke, where diverse cultural values and social pressures intersect, individuals may experience conflicting messages about food, health, and appearance. These influences can increase comparison, shame, and internal pressure, particularly for teens and young adults.
It’s also important to acknowledge that eating disorders in boys, men, and gender-diverse individuals are frequently overlooked, which can delay support and increase isolation.
Why eating disorders impact mental health
Over time, eating disorders don’t just affect physical health,they significantly impact mental wellbeing. People may experience:
Increased anxiety and rigidity
Low mood or emotional numbness
Difficulty concentrating
Social withdrawal
Heightened shame and secrecy
What may begin as an attempt to cope often leads to greater emotional distress, reinforcing the cycle.
The importance of a healthy relationship with food
A healthy relationship with food is not about eating “clean” or avoiding certain foods. It’s about nourishment, flexibility, and responding to the body without fear or guilt.
Therapy supports individuals in understanding the emotional role food has played in their lives and developing safer, more compassionate ways to cope. This process supports both mental health and long-term wellbeing.
Mental health support that looks beyond food
At The Wise Self, we approach eating disorders through a mental health lens that considers emotional regulation, self-esteem, cultural context, and lived experience. Support is never about control or blame, it’s about understanding and change that feels sustainable.
If you’re seeking mental health support in Toronto or Etobicoke and food has become a source of distress, working with a therapist can help address the underlying factors driving the struggle.
Ready to talk about support?
If eating, food, or body image is affecting your mental health, support is available. Book a free consultation to explore therapy options at The Wise Self.
