Why don't we talk about specifically black eating disorders?

[Chip Skylark]

There are barely any health food stores in the black community.

This.

 

[datnigDASTARDLY]

I always thought we lean heavily on over eating due to a multitude of reasons...we don't really cover the entire spectrum like white folk, for the most part

 

[xoxodede]

I think we need too.

You can say I grew up in an Upper Middle Class Black family -- and I have and know many Black women of all backgrounds that have/had them.

I think I mentioned it on here that I have had an ED since I was in my teens. I would be classified as EDNOS.

But, I have been hospitalized (in and out-treatment) for Anorexia Nervosa in the past. A few times.

I have been underweight and obese. When I used to recover back in the day I would get fat, FAT cause I would eat everything -- then I would hate my appearance again, lose my man/dating options -- then back to restriction.

It's a sick cycle.

Currently, holding on to my healthy weight at 5'2 -- I'm 128-138 depending on the month.

But, I never get past 138lbs -- or I get triggered.

 

[xoxodede]

 

[Money Be Green]

 

[Fiji Water]

I think we need too.

You can say I grew up in an Upper Middle Class Black family -- and I have and know many Black women of all backgrounds that have/had them.

I think I mentioned it on here that I have had an ED since I was in my teens. I would be classified as EDNOS.

But, I have been hospitalized (out-treatment) for Anorexia Nervosa in the past. A few times.

I have been underweight and obese. When I used to recover back in the day I would get fat, FAT cause I would eat everything -- then I would hate my appearance again, lose my man/dating options -- then back to restriction.

It's a sick cycle.

Currently, holding on to my healthy weight at 5'2 -- I'm 128-138 depending on the month.

But, I never get past 138lbs -- or I get triggered.

I actually went through something very similar and I'm a 6 foot tall dude.

 

[xoxodede]

I actually went through something very similar and I'm a 6 foot tall dude.

Sorry to hear that. People really don't understand how bad it is.

The saddest thing is when people thought I looked the best ever, I was the sickest. So, it made me want to keep it up. Till my ass fainted in the gym and my boyfriend at the time came and got me and took me to the hospital. I didn't get out for a min.

You can be traditional "slimthick" and be anorexic.

 

[xoxodede]

I actually went through something very similar and I'm a 6 foot tall dude.

Also, one of my best male friends has binge eating disorder. It's bad. He's 6'8 --in shape and looks great too.

 

[Professor Emeritus]

I'm literally just reading "Heavy" by Kiese Laymon and he's getting into this shyt a lot. Not in terms of statistics or anything, but in terms of his own personal experience of himself and his mother a lot of black folk he knew in difficult circumstances using eating disorders (especially binge eating or overeating) to try to numb themselves to mental/emotional/physical pain.

 

[boriquaking]

Yep

called institutional racism which causes mental stress and / or hardship … both often cause overeating

And food deserts. Like, just white people systematically keeping healthy food options out of minority communities. Its fukked up.

 

[Fiji Water]

I'm literally just reading "Heavy" by Kiese Laymon and he's getting into this shyt a lot. Not in terms of statistics or anything, but in terms of his own personal experience of himself and his mother a lot of black folk he knew in difficult circumstances using eating disorders (especially binge eating or overeating) to try to numb themselves to mental/emotional/physical pain.

I grew up in an environment of fear nutrition. Eat as much as you can when it's available because everybody is poor. It makes for very bad habits and a lot of emotional trauma related to some of the worst food.

 

[shopthatwrecks]

There's been a trend of black mental health in the last few years.but our kids and adults suffer from eating disorders that limit us from being our best selves (for those of us in bad situations). This applies to all people, it's food...

But if I say "eating disorder" what comes to mind as the image? Probably someone privileged.

Anyone have any stats or info that we could use? Literally asking for food for thought lol.

if I order it...ima eat this ..


what more do we need to talk about..mind ya business..

 

[Fiji Water]

if I order it...ima eat this ..


what more do we need to talk about..mind ya business..

While I am actually exactly like this,it proves my point. Lmao.

I think the general incredulity to the question alone might warrant suspicion. How many brothers and sisters are struggling with a mental stigma with food ON TOP of being in a food desert? I've been there and it's a hell of a place to be.

Why is this not highlighted or even an issue with much scholarly insight? Hunger on any level should be a conversation way before preference or identity. Or anything else potentially political.

It's fukking hunger.

 

[Fiji Water]

because it aint a black issue

Maybe not. But if I say we collectively have PTSD folk might jump on board. Eating disorders can be indicative of deeper seated* issues.

 

[Fiji Water]

I don't know if anyone watched but both of these videos are awesome.