On July 18th, 2024, Monte Nido's Adrienne Adams, MD, MS, and Molly Perlman, MD, MPH, CEDS, presented an illuminating webinar titled "Eating Disorders in the BIPOC Community." The event focused on the challenges faced by individuals from BIPOC communities in accessing diagnosis and treatment for eating disorders (EDs).
Key Statistics for Eating Disorders in BIPOC Individuals
The presenters highlighted several statistics that underscore the disparities in ED treatment for BIPOC individuals:
- Eating disorders affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and weight statuses.
- BIPOC individuals with EDs are half as likely to be diagnosed or to receive treatment, and Hispanic adolescent clients are also half as likely to receive ED treatment.
- BIPOC clients are significantly less likely to be asked about ED symptoms than non-minorities.
- Despite effective behavioral treatments existing, there are significant racial disparities in treatment access, with African American and/or Black individuals having some of the lowest rates of access to care.
Need for ED Research in BIPOC Communities
The presenters emphasized the need for more inclusive and representative ED research, as the limited research available is often not generalizable. They noted that only 2.5% of studies published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders from September 1981 to October 2020 included small samples of Black/Indigenous people. In response to this, Monte Nido is working to address these gaps in knowledge and presented data during this CE event.
Associations between ED and Childhood Food Neglect
Dr. Adams and Dr. Perlman discussed the associations between EDs and childhood food neglect, stating that people with a history of childhood food neglect were more likely to experience various eating disorders, such as binge-eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia nervosa. Although food neglect and food insecurity are different, there are some similarities between the two that must be considered.
Asking Hard Questions to Understand BIPOC Eating Disorders
To better understand and support BIPOC individuals seeking treatment for EDs, the presenters urged attendees to ask their clients/patients difficult questions related to ethnicity/race/gender/sexuality, workplace or school setting, experiences of bias and discrimination, and coping mechanisms.
Resources for Understanding Eating Disorders in BIPOC Individuals
The presenters provided a list of valuable resources that can be accessed via the links below:
- https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/about/understandings
- Book recommendations:
- Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia by Sabrina Strings
- Treating Black Women with Eating Disorder's: A Clinicians Guide by Charlynn Small and Mazella Fuller
- Brown Faces White Spaces: Confronting Systemic Racism to Bring Healing & Restoration by Latasha Morrison
- Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
- Live Through This: Surviving the Intersections of Sexuality, God, and Race by Clay Cane
Addressing Eating Disorders in the BIPOC Community
The "Eating Disorders in the BIPOC Community" webinar provided a critical examination of the challenges faced by BIPOC individuals in accessing ED treatment. By recognizing and addressing these disparities, healthcare providers can work towards creating more equitable and effective treatment environments for all individuals seeking care.
Visit the Continuing Education section of our website to review and register for our future CE offerings. We look forward to seeing you there!
