April is Minority Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about health disparities that impact minority communities1. The goal is to not just shine a light on these discrepancies, but also encourage and motivate action geared towards achieving more equitable health outcomes. In this blog post, we will focus specifically on the disparities racial and ethnic minorities face when seeking treatment for eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors.
A common stereotype among eating disorders is that they only affect young, white women. The dismantling of this stereotype is necessary so that those affected in marginalized and minority communities can be accurately diagnosed and given access to the care that they need. One study found that bulimia nervosa, an eating disorder, was more common among Latinos and African Americans compared to non-Latino whites throughout the lifetime2. The same study also found that with any eating disorder, African Americans reported the greatest levels of impairment, meaning they experienced more severe disruptions to their everyday lives2. This study made it clear that eating disorders themselves do not discriminate — but the systems meant to identify and treat them often do.
Even when symptoms are present and impairing, those from racial and ethnic minority communities often face a range of systemic and cultural barriers that prevent them from getting the help they need. A major systemic barrier is that racial and ethnic minorities are underrepresented in disordered eating research. In fact, one study found that over 10% of disordered eating studies published in the past decade did not report on race nor ethnicity3. This only reinforces the centering of white individuals with disordered eating experiences. Other significant barriers to treatment that disproportionately affect minorities include cultural stigma, limited access to culturally competent care, and a lack of representation in treatment spaces—all of which can lead to delays in seeking treatment4.
As we recognize Minority Health Month, it is crucial to actively work toward change. No matter your role in life, you can have a meaningful impact in breaking down harmful stereotypes, amplifying underrepresented voices, and pushing for more inclusive research and care. By challenging bias, promoting culturally competent treatment, and making space for diverse experiences in conversations about eating disorders, we can create a system where everyone has the chance to be seen, supported, and healed.
Helpful Resources:
Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective: https://beam.community
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) BIPOC Support Group: https://anad.org/get-help/about-our-support-groups/
The Renfrew Center Virtual BIPOC Support Group for Eating Disorders: https://renfrewcenter.com/virtual-bipoc-support-group-for-eating-disorders/
Within Health Blog for Eating Disorders in the BIPOC Community: https://withinhealth.com/learn/tags/bipoc
References:
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). National Minority Health Month. National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities. https://www.nimhd.nih.gov/programs/edu-training/nmhm/
- Marques, L., Alegria, M., Becker, A. E., Chen, C.‐n., Fang, A., Chosak, A., & Diniz, J. B. (2011). Comparative prevalence, correlates of impairment, and service utilization for eating disorders across US ethnic groups: Implications for reducing ethnic disparities in health care access for eating disorders. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 44(5), 412–420. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.20787
- Burnette, C. B., Luzier, J. L., Weisenmuller, C. M., & Boutté, R. L. (2022). A systematic review of sociodemographic reporting and representation in eating disorder psychotherapy treatment trials in the United States. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 55(4), 423-454.
- Penwell, T. E., Bedard, S. P., Eyre, R., & Levinson, C. A. (2024). Eating disorder treatment access in the United States: perceived inequities among treatment seekers. Psychiatric Services, 75(10), 944-952.
By Trilla Teague
Trilla Teague is an undergraduate research assistant in the Living F.R.E.E. Lab
