The holidays can be a challenging time for people living with eating disorders.

According to data from the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders (STRIPED), 28.8 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.

The illness is driven by chemicals in the brain, but made worse by societal factors.

“Right now, we live very much in a diet and achievement culture, which actually can mask eating disorder behaviors,” said Michelle Morales, a parent peer mentor with the Western New York Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders. “In fact, sometimes it even reinforces eating disorder behaviors because they’re thought to be 'good' because 'now I have a certain body type' or 'now I’m thin.'”

People of all races, ages and genders can be diagnosed with an eating disorder from as young as 5 years old to over 80 years old, according to STRIPED. Females are twice as likely to have one.

Morales suggested people living an eating disorder during the holidays:

  • Plan their day hour by hour to establish an end time to meals
  • Schedule breaks away from the gathering
  • Include scheduled activities that do not involve eating or drinking in any way

People may also benefit from a “battle buddy,” which is someone who understands their specific illness and can help advocate for them or execute their schedule for the day.

Additionally, here are some ways Morales said loved ones can support those with eating disorders:

  • Avoid talking about how someone looks; focus compliments on other things like how thoughtful, funny or creative they are
  • Treat them like anyone else
  • Keep conversation about their interests

“Go into the holidays being kind to yourself and being kind to those that are suffering right now," said Morales. "Really focus on, maybe, the non-food things, but more of, what are the other things that we can focus on that can make the holiday special."

According to the University of Rochester School of Nursing, eating disorders are about more than food, body shape or weight. The illness may be related to coping with things like anxiety or painful emotions. Eating disorders can negatively impact self-esteem, body-esteem and can lead to chronic health issues.

Warning signs of eating disorders include:

  • Withdrawal from family and friends
  • Avoidance of stressful situations
  • Eating alone, slowly, cutting up food into small pieces or hiding food
  • Eating when not hungry, to the point of discomfort, or experiencing depression/disgust after a meal
  • Obsessing over calories
  • Body insecurity like negative or obsessive thoughts about body size or shape
  • Keeping a strict exercise routine despite injury or fatige
  • Worrying about muscularity and leanness, feeling the need to bulk and/or lose weight
  • Change in appearance such as weight fluctuations, puffy cheeks, knuckle calluses due to vomiting, hair loss, sensitivity to cold, absent or irregular menstrual cycles, excessive facial or body hair, unusual sleep patterns or feeling faint/tired
  • Avoidance of foods due to sensory fears

For help with an eating disorder, contact any of the following:

University of Rochester School of Nursing

  • 255 Crittenden Blvd, Box SON
  • Rochester, NY 14642
  • Phone: 585-276-6102
  • nyeatingdisorders.org

Golisano Children’s Hospital

  • 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 690
  • Rochester, NY 14642
  • Phone: 585-275-2964
  • golisano.urmc.edu

The Healing Connection, Inc.

  • 1320 University Ave.
  • Rochester, NY 14607
  • Phone: 585-641-0281
  • thehealingconnectioninc.org