At the crux of the book The Beauty Myth lies writer Naomi Wolf’s plausible claim that ‘beauty’ is not about physical appearance as she quotes, “The beauty myth is always actually prescribing behaviour and not appearance.” The lines work wonderfully in print and in public discourse, but how many of us literally take this into consideration?
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Eating disorders, once deemed a predominantly Western concern, are making themselves at home in India, thanks to a potent cocktail of societal pressures, media influence, and body image obsession. As we embrace globalisation, it appears we’ve also invited some of its darker companions to dinner — or rather, the absence of it. For decades, eating disorders (EDs) such as Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), and Binge Eating Disorder (BED) were thought to be problems exclusive to Western societies — places where size- zero models roamed free and diets reigned supreme. However, the 21st century has ushered in a significant shift. EDs are becoming global citizens, touching down in countries far removed from their origins. India, with its rich cultural heritage and rapidly modernising landscape, has not been spared. Studies are now revealing that eating disorders have taken root in Indian society, affecting both physical and mental health on a concerning scale. One key study, in The Evolving Epidemiology of Eating Disorders paints a picture of how EDs have shifted from being niche to near- mainstream, even in places like India. Cultural dynamics, particularly the increased exposure to Western media, have created new standards of beauty — and they’re not necessarily healthy ones. While India has long celebrated its diversity in culture, cuisine, and body types, the rise of media-fueled ideals is hard to ignore. The nation’s relationship with food has always been deep-rooted in tradition. But now, alongside the vibrant array of regional dishes, there’s a side order of unrealistic beauty standards. Social media influencers, Bollywood celebrities, and fitness trends all play their part in distorting body image. Who’s most at risk? Young people, especially young women. Adolescents are the prime targets for eating disorders, lured in by the impossible standards of beauty beamed to them daily via social media. The pressure to conform to an ideal often one that’s neither realistic nor healthy is immense.
Girls in adolescence view their diets in terms of appearance and body type, whereas boys are more focused on fitness and overall health. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are the three recognised eating disorders. The prevalence of eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia, which are excruciatingly familiar, is painfully overlooked in a country like India, where the majority of society is already inclined to dismiss any mental health issues.
Eating disorders (EDs) are defined by the fact that they cause severe changes in how a person eats. People with these disorders are obsessed with food, weight, and how they look. EDs can sometimes put people’s lives in danger because of health problems caused by malnutrition. The recent coverage of ED in India may have been affected by the way the media praises the “size zero” body type and by culturally accepted pressures to be thin, shame the body, and be unhappy with one’s body. However, there is a dearth of ED studies being conducted in India. Nearly 15% of women between the ages of 17 and 24 have eating disorders of some kind, according to the Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA). Formerly thought to be a problem that only affected the West, eating disorders are now seen in adolescents from all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds, and more than 75% of these cases begin in adolescence.
People with Anorexia Nervosa lose weight rapidly and are skinny (less than 85% of normal or ideal body weight), develop lanugo-a fine downy hairs on arms and legs. They inculcate habits like excessive exercising, avoiding specific foods or whole categories, denying hunger, and avoiding social invitations because of food that might be served. A person diagnosed with bulimia nervosa ensures strict dieting followed by bingeing and has the habit of purging via diuretics, laxatives, emetics, fasting or vomiting. People who have a binge eating disorder usually are overweight or obese and frequently eat large amounts in a short time. They eat to the point of extreme discomfort and regret later.
EDs aren’t just about food or weight. The psychological toll is staggering. These disorders come hand-in-hand with other issues like anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. It’s like playing a toxic game of tug-of-war between mental health and body image.We should understand the simple fact that Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses associated with food and body image and not merely lifestyle choices.
EDs are complex problems that require a multidisciplinary approach involving medical, psychological, and nutritional experts. New therapies are being researched, such as magnetic stimulation of the brain, whose aim is to correct this mirror or this distorted self-image that people have. Contrary to popular belief, eating disorders are not solely related to one’s weight, diet, or even whether or not they are thin or fat. Typically, they also deal with communication, depression, self-expression, and self-esteem.
So, what’s the solution? Treating eating disorders requires more than just handing someone a meal plan. It’s a complex issue that needs a multidisciplinary approach. Think of it like assembling a puzzle — where each piece represents a critical area of care: medical, psychological, and nutritional. For younger individuals, family-based therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are often used to guide them out of the disorder’s grip. But in some cases, as seen with bulimia nervosa, medications like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) may also come into play. Unfortunately, in India, treatment resources are still catching up. There’s a need for culturally sensitive tools that reflect local realities, not just Western models. The 2019 paper “Eating Disorders: An Overview of Indian Research” (Vaidyanathan et al.) underscores this gap — advocating for locally relevant data and diagnostic tools tailored to the Indian population. After all, what works in New York might not necessarily work in New Delhi.
As eating disorders continue their silent march across the globe and into India, the need for awareness, research, and cultural sensitivity is more pressing than ever. The rise of EDs in non-Western countries proves that these disorders are not merely about food, but about identity, control, and psychological well-being.More importantly, cross-age and cross-socioeconomic research are needed in India to dispel the stigma associated with reaching out for HELP.
India’s rich cultural diversity — once a bulwark against such disorders — now faces an uncomfortable coexistence with the rise of body image pressures and unrealistic beauty standards. If we don’t act soon, the numbers will only grow, and these disorders will continue to claim more victims, hiding behind silence, shame, and societal taboos.
The takeaway? Eating disorders are here — and they’re hungry for more than just a slice of the population’s health. It’s time to talk about them, treat them, and, most importantly, understand them before they grow into an epidemic no one can digest. As Laurie Halse Anderson rightly said, “There is no magic cure, no making it all go away forever. There are only small steps upward; an easier day, an unexpected laugh, a mirror that doesn’t matter anymore.”
(The writer is Senior Research Fellow, NIFTEM -TLO Guwahati)
