Intermittent Fasting and Eating Disorders
The myths about intermittent fasting have been circulating around all types of media platforms. Although some cultures and religions practice fasting, individuals who engage in intermittent fasting for reasons of body image or dietary concerns may start to engage in disordered eating behaviors. As a result, the practice can lead to severe health complications.
What is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting is all about when you should eat rather than what you should eat. There are different approaches to intermittent fasting: it could be food restrictions during designated hours during the day or restrictions on specific days during the week. While fasting is not classified under the diagnosis of an eating disorder, it could develop into disordered eating patterns and lead to the onset of an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia nervosa. That being said, what are some warning signs to look out for?
Signs of Intermittent Fasting
If you or someone you love starts engaging in intermittent fasting, there are a few warning signs and symptoms to watch out for, including establishing rigid rules for eating, fighting natural hunger cues, engaging in excessive exercise, and skipping meals.
While some research shows positive associations between intermittent fasting and the prevention of cardiovascular conditions, there is not enough evidence to support this conclusion. With the dangers that come with developing an eating disorder, individuals should seek help from a licensed professional or care team for evidence-based treatments.
BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, located in New York City, offers free consultation calls to help you explore next steps. We provide in-person programming seven days a week and are in-network with UnitedHealthcare (UHC), Cigna, Emblem, and Oscar, with Aetna coverage coming soon. Support is available, and recovery is possible. Schedule a free consultation call with our admissions team here and stay connected with BALANCE on Instagram here.
References
Cuccolo, K., Kramer, R., Petros, T., & Thoennes, M. (2022). Intermittent fasting implementation and association with eating disorder symptomatology. Eating disorders, 30(5), 471–491. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2021.1922145
Vasim, I., Majeed, C. N., & DeBoer, M. D. (2022). Intermittent Fasting and Metabolic Health. Nutrients, 14(3), 631. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14030631
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Contributor, Regina Colie (she/her).
Regina Colie is a blog contributor for BALANCE, whose previous work has been featured in Project HEAL and Nourishing NY. She is an alumnus of The New School of Social Research, where she received her Masters in Psychology. After attending Marymount Manhattan College, she had the opportunity to be published in Dr. Nava Silton’s book, The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Child, Adolescent, and Adult Development.
