Eating Disorders: A Public Health Issue That Affects Everybody

Eating disorders are serious, complex mental health conditions that involve distressing thoughts and behaviors related to food, eating, movement, and body image. They include diagnoses such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, ARFID, and other specified feeding or eating disorders.

Despite long-standing stereotypes, eating disorders are not defined by weight, appearance, or willpower. They affect people in larger bodies, smaller bodies, and every body in between. They affect children, teens, adults, and older adults. They affect people of all genders, identities, cultures, and backgrounds.

Eating disorders also have one of the highest mortality rates of any mental illness, yet many individuals struggle in silence. Stigma, myths about who can have an eating disorder, lack of insurance coverage, limited access to specialized providers, and inequitable care systems often delay diagnosis and treatment. As a result, many people do not receive the help they need until symptoms are severe.

That’s why the message Everybody Belongs matters so deeply. It reminds us that:

Everybody matters

Every voice deserves to be heard

Every person deserves compassion, treatment, and support

Every person deserves hope—and meaningful change

Recovery is possible. Early screening, weight-inclusive and trauma-informed care, and strong community support can save lives. Talking openly about eating disorders reduces shame, increases understanding, and helps connect people to care. When we treat eating disorders as a public health issue, not a personal failure, we create space for healing and change.

Warning Signs & Screening

Eating disorders can show up differently for everyone. Warning signs may include:

Preoccupation with food, weight, or body image

Restrictive eating, bingeing, purging, or rigid food rules

Avoidance of meals or social situations involving food

Increased anxiety, secrecy, or mood changes

Compulsive or driven exercise

If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you care about, screening is a powerful first step. Early awareness can make a life-saving difference.

Putting the 2025 Dietary Guidelines into Practice

The 2025 Dietary Guidelines don't require perfection—or drastic dietary changes. Their most practical message is simple: eat more real food and fewer highly processed foods, most of the time.

Build Meals Around Balance. Aim to include vegetables or fruit, protein, whole grains, and healthy fats at meals. This balanced approach supports energy, digestion, and disease prevention without focusing on any single nutrient.

Let Plants Lead. Vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds provide fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients that help protect against heart disease, cancer, and metabolic conditions. Filling half your plate with plant foods is a powerful and practical starting place.

Choose Protein Thoughtfully. Protein supports muscle, immunity, and satiety, but quality matters. Rotate between plant proteins, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy, and lean meats, and keep portions reasonable.

Cook Simply. Home-prepared meals naturally reduce added sugars, sodium, and ultra-processed ingredients. Use simple cooking methods such as roasting, grilling, and sautéing.

Focus on Patterns, Not Perfection. One meal won’t make or break your health. What matters most is what you do consistently over time.

In practice, the 2025 Dietary Guidelines point us back to basics: balanced plates, plant-forward choices, and real food—prepared and enjoyed regularly.

Avocado Toast with Spicy Nuts

Recipe from nuthealth.org

Ingredients

Spicy Nuts

¼ cup mixed nuts, roughly chopped (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, macadamias and/or walnuts)

1 teaspoon olive oil

2 teaspoons spicy seasoning of preference. such as cajun, Sriracha or tabasco

Avocado Toast

2 thick slices grain or sourdough bread

2 tablespoons Ricotta cheese

1 avocado

Juice of ½ lemon

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

½ cup arugula

2 poached eggs, optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Toss nuts with butter; add chili seasoning to taste. Lay on a baking tray and roast for 6-8 minutes or until aromatic and starting to brown. Allow to cool.

Toast bread and spread with ricotta cheese. Lay slices of avocado over cheese, then sprinkle with lemon and season. Place a small mound of arugula on top, then scatter spicy nuts.

Add a poached egg if desired.

Serves 2

Nutrition Facts Per Serving: 440 calories, 29 grams fat, 5 grams saturated fat, 16 grams monounsaturated fat, 5 grams polyunsaturated fat, 570 mg sodium, 30 grams carbohydrates, 6 grams fiber, 18 grams protein

“He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything.”

Arabian Proverbs