166 | Think You Can Spot an Eating Disorder?

 We Were Taught Eating Disorders Wrong 

A patient can be purging, restricting, hiding food, or obsessing over their body and still have a “normal” weight and normal labs. That’s exactly why eating disorders are so easy to miss.

In this episode, I sit down with eating disorder expert and dietitian Jessica Setnick for a conversation that completely challenges the way many of us were trained to recognize disordered eating. We talk about the stereotypes that keep patients from getting diagnosed, the well-intended things adults say and do around food that can backfire, and the subtle signs clinicians should be paying attention to long before the weight or labs change.

Key takeaways:

• Why weight is not a reliable screening tool for eating disorders
• Why restricting sweets, controlling portions, or labeling foods can make certain foods even more desirable
• What you need to ask when a parent says their child "sneaks food" 
• Simple screening questions clinicians can use during a well visit
• What to say when a patient discloses purging, restriction, or body image concerns

Connect with Jessica 

Resources Mentioned:

Episode 41: Silent Battles

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.