Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2026: Misconceptions About Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is an annual campaign focused on expanding education, awareness, and support for those impacted by eating disorders. Taking place February 23–March 2, 2026, this week invites meaningful conversations about these serious illnesses. To kick things off, we’re sharing a blog that breaks down common myths and offers clarity around the realities of eating disorders.
Eating disorders can have serious and life-threatening consequences. That’s why education, early recognition, and access to care are so important. Despite the severity of eating disorders, there are many misconceptions about eating disorders that continue to circulate, making it more difficult for those suffering to find healing of mind, body, and spirit. These misconceptions also contribute to a lack of helpful resources, understanding, and guidance for those in need.
Here are four common misconceptions about eating disorders and the truth behind each one.
Myth #1: Eating disorders are just about food
Eating disorders do involve an extreme fixation on food, calories, body weight and shape, and exercise; however, one of the most common misconceptions about eating disorders is that they are only about food. In reality, eating disorders are complex mental illnesses rooted in sociocultural, psychological, and biological factors. They often begin as an attempt to gain control in response to life stressors, such as loss, major transitions, or difficult environments. Because of this, recovery is not as simple as “just eat more” or “just eat less.” Effective treatment typically involves a combination of medical, psychiatric, dietary, and therapeutic support.
Myth #2: You need to be underweight to have an eating disorder
Eating disorders affect people of all body shapes, sizes, genders, ethnicities, cultures, and ages, yet one of the most common misconceptions about eating disorders is that someone must be underweight to be struggling. Fewer than 6% people with eating disorders are medically classified as “underweight,” while many individuals in larger bodies engage in disordered eating behaviors. Because of weight stigma in healthcare, people in larger bodies are often taken less seriously or denied appropriate care, even when they need help. Research shows that people who experience weight discrimination have worse health outcomes than those who do not, making it harder for them to receive the treatment they deserve.
Myth #3: Only women and girls have eating disorders
Men represent approximately 25% of people with eating disorders, yet they are less likely to seek help due to gender stereotypes and persistent misconceptions about eating disorders, including the belief that they only affect women. Women are five times more likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder and 1.5 times more likely to receive treatment than men.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community are also at higher risk. LGBTQ+ youth are three times more likely to have an eating disorder than their heterosexual peers, gay and bisexual boys are four times more likely to engage in dangerous weight manipulation behaviors, and bisexual girls are twice as likely to engage in these behaviors. Transgender college students are diagnosed with eating disorders at four times the rate of their cisgender classmates.
Eating Disorder Support Without Stereotypes at BALANCE
Misconceptions about eating disorders can make it harder for people to recognize their struggles and reach out for help, especially if they don’t fit the stereotypes often portrayed in media or healthcare settings. Your eating disorder is valid, even if your experience looks different from what you’ve been told it “should” look like. At BALANCE, we believe everyone deserves access to compassionate, individualized care. Our eating disorder treatment programs in NYC are available seven days a week and are in-network with UnitedHealthcare and Cigna. If you or someone you love is struggling, click here to schedule a free consultation call with our team and learn how we can support you.
References
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. Eating Disorder Statistics. ANAD, 2026, anad.org/eating-disorder-statistic/.
Eating Disorder Facts and Myths. Eating Recovery Center, 2026, www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/resources/eating-disorder-facts-myths
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Contributor, Tori Barkosky (she/her).
Tori is a graduate of St. Catherine University, having earned a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Nutrition Science. Tori is passionate about all things related to intuitive eating, HAES, mental health, body respect, eating disorders, and disordered eating. Tori currently works as a Mental Health Practitioner at an eating disorder clinic and teaches yoga. Outside of work, Tori enjoys finding new coffee shops, exploring nature, and spending time with family and loved ones. She is also a self-published author of a memoir, Release, concerning her recovery from anorexia nervosa.
