In this post, we will distinguish certain terminologies that could seem almost comparable to eating disorders; though, they share subtle differences. We will define and compare what eating disorders are and how different they are from picky eating, dieting and fasting. In addition, we will enlist the risk groups for each of these.
Eating disorders
As reviewed in previous posts, an eating disorder has an emotional component attached to it whereby individuals utilize food to cope with their emotions or feelings. Usually, it is not more so about the food but rather the controlling of food to manage stressful or emotional
situations. Eating disorders can affect anyone, and at any age; though, they are most common among teenagers and young adults. Particular eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are even more common among females than males.
Picky eating
Picky eating, on the other hand, is associated with strong liking and tendencies to consume particular kinds of foods that are preferred. This could be due to a preference for a food’s texture, taste or colour. It is mainly common among young children. It can also be linked to the fear of not wanting to try new foods. When picky eating is observed in adults, it usually can turn out to be an indication of an eating disorder especially if it persists. Unlike eating disorders, there is no need to control food, it’s just a preference of one food over the other.
Dieting and fasting
Dieting or fasting can be triggers for eating disorders though they are different in that dieting involves the deliberate shift in eating patterns either by restricting portion size or number of times to eat in a day, to achieve a certain goal i.e. weight loss whereas fasting involves refraining from foods and fluids for particular time periods for particular reasons that could be religious or to achieve certain goals e.g. weight loss. Both these practises could be performed to obtain particular health benefits i.e. weight loss. They are however, not eating disorders themselves but risk factors for eating disorders. They can also be the form of compensative behaviours for eating disorders.
In conclusion, eating disorders usually have an emotional aspect attached to them while picky eating is the preference or much liking of particular foods over others possibly due to taste, colour or texture. Eating disorders mainly affect young adults or teenagers while picky eating is more common among children. Also, unlike eating disorders, there are no emotions or the need to control food.
Dieting and fasting are practices usually performed to achieve particular health benefits and can be risk factors for eating disorders or they could be the form of compensative behaviours for eating disorders.