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Eating disorders in adults are not strange habits or a weakness of character. They are serious illnesses with a proven biological, genetic, and psychological basis.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2021 around 16 million people worldwide were living with eating disorders, including nearly 3.4 million children and adolescents. However, this figure does not reflect the full possible scale of the problem. Research shows that when binge eating disorder and other unaccounted forms of eating disorders are included, the global prevalence is significantly higher.


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What is an eating disorder?

An eating disorder is a group of mental disorders in which a person's relationship with food, body shape, and body weight is disrupted. Eating disorders affect physical health, emotional state, and social life, and without treatment they can have serious consequences.

Eating disorders in adults are more common than is often thought, and the statistics have not improved over the years. From 2000 to 2018, the average prevalence of eating disorders in studies increased from 3.5% to 7.8%. At the same time, some cases remain unrecognized — partly because adults do not seek help, considering their symptoms to be normal eating habits.

Main types of eating disorders

There are several types of eating disorders. Each has its own characteristic features, but all of them cause serious health problems.

  • Anorexia nervosa — a disorder in which food intake is significantly restricted due to an intense fear of gaining weight, even at a low body weight. A person with anorexia nervosa may deliberately restrict food intake even when feeling hungry.
  • Bulimia nervosa — recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behavior: a person may intentionally induce vomiting after eating, use laxatives, or exhaust themselves with exercise. Bulimia nervosa often occurs covertly: body weight may remain normal, and others may not notice anything.
  • Binge eating disorder — episodes of overeating without compensatory behavior. Binge eating disorder is considered one of the most common eating disorders. In a large study among adults in the United States in 2007, its lifetime prevalence was 3.5% among women and 2% among men. Binge eating disorder is often associated with obesity.

Symptoms of eating disorders in adults

Symptoms of eating disorders are diverse — they include both behavioral and physical manifestations. Diagnosis is complicated by the fact that many of them can be masked as self-care. These include:

  • strict restriction of food intake, exclusion of entire food groups without medical indications,
  • episodes of uncontrolled consumption of large amounts of food in a short time,
  • compensatory behavior: vomiting, use of laxatives, fasting,
  • obsessive thoughts about calories and weight, constant anxiety about food,
  • distorted perception of one's body,
  • physical complications: hair loss, menstrual cycle disturbances, constipation, weakness, gastrointestinal problems.

Shahla Suleymanli, psychiatrist at Kandinsky Clinic:

"Adults often come to me who have lived with an eating disorder for years — and do not consider it an illness. They say: 'I'm just watching my diet' or 'I have a bad relationship with food.' Eating disorders are often disguised as a 'healthy' lifestyle. It is important to understand that critical weight loss is no longer an ordinary diet but a problem — as are constant episodes of overeating. The sooner you notice the symptoms and begin treatment for an eating disorder, the easier it will be to help you."


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Сauses and risk factors

Eating disorders in adults do not arise from a single cause — they are always a combination of different factors.

  • Genetic factors. Research shows that heredity plays a significant role in the development of eating disorders: its contribution is estimated at approximately 40–60%. Eating disorders in close relatives are a significant risk factor.
  • Psychological factors. Perfectionism, anxiety, and difficulties with impulse control often underlie eating disorders. Obsessive thoughts about body and food are one of the early signs of a possible disorder.
  • Social factors. The cult of ultra-thinness and bullying in adolescence cause a distorted attitude toward the body. This is a social context that cannot be ignored.
  • Biological factors. Dysfunction of neurotransmitter systems also affects eating habits.

Physical and psychological consequences of eating disorders

Eating disorders in adults that remain untreated can lead to severe physical and psychological consequences.

From the body's side, possible effects include heart problems, bone mass loss, dental problems, hair loss, menstrual cycle disruptions, and constipation. With anorexia, there is life-threatening exhaustion.

From the mental health side, there is a risk of depression, anxiety disorders, social isolation, and reduced quality of life.

Elena Voronina, gastroenterologist and dietitian at Kandinsky Clinic:

"Eating disorders threaten serious complications for the gastrointestinal tract, metabolism, and hormonal balance. That is why, in cases of eating disorders, we work together with a psychiatrist."


Treatment of eating disorders: what therapy includes

Treatment of eating disorders is always an individual process. Comprehensive therapy includes several components:

  • psychotherapy, including specialized cognitive behavioral therapy, which is included in clinical guidelines for eating disorders,
  • work with a dietitian to restore normal eating behavior and create a meal plan without strict restrictions,
  • medication support, which may be prescribed by a psychiatrist and may be related to co-occurring depression,
  • medical monitoring — monitoring the body's condition, tests, and assessment of complications.

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Помощь при пищевых расстройствах у взрослых в Kandinsky Clinic

В Kandinsky Clinic с расстройствами пищевого поведения работает междисциплинарная команда специалистов, основную роль в которой играют психиатр Шахла Сулейманлы и гастроэнтеролог-диетолог Елена Воронина. Такой подход позволяет вести пациентов с учетом и психологического, и физического аспектов расстройства. Подробнее о нашем отделении гастроэнтерологии в Дубае и клинике психического здоровья можно узнать на сайте Kandinsky Clinic.

Записаться на консультацию можно через WhatsApp +971555660877 или по телефону клиники +97145631200.


Help for eating disorders in adults at Kandinsky Clinic

At Kandinsky Clinic, an interdisciplinary team of specialists works with eating disorders, with psychiatrist Shahla Suleymanli and gastroenterologist-dietitian Elena Voronina playing the leading roles. This approach allows patients to be managed with consideration of both the psychological and physical aspects of the disorder. You can learn more about our gastroenterology department in Dubai and the mental health clinic on the Kandinsky Clinic website.

To book a consultation, contact us via WhatsApp at +971555660877 or by phone at +97145631200.


Sources


Authors: Shahla Suleymanli, psychiatrist, psychotherapist at Kandinsky Clinic, 10 years of experience (DHA License: No. 93748107-001); Elena Voronina, gastroenterologist, dietitian, therapist at Kandinsky Clinic, 15 years of experience (DHA License: No. 87117372-002) Medical editor: Olga Polikina, Chief Physician of Kandinsky Clinic, Candidate of Medical Sciences Disclaimer: the information in the article is not medical advice. For all questions concerning your condition, consult a doctor.


Shahla Suleymanli
Psychiatrist•Psychotherapist•Experience 10 years
Elena Voronina
General Practitioner•Experience 15 years