not everyone with irritable bowel syndrome
(ibs), digestive issues, or weight challenges has an eating disorder or
obesity. and not everyone who lives with these problems misunderstands health
advice. many people do understand the advice — they just find it very difficult
to follow, especially if they are struggling with an unseen condition, like
binge eating disorder (bed), emotional eating, or food-related trauma.
it’s important to say:
craving food a lot or struggling with
self-control is not simply about willpower.
for some, these behaviors started years ago,
and even they may not fully understand why they overeat or binge.
checking weight and monitoring health is not
wrong. but taking medical tests to look deeper into what’s happening inside the
body (like hormone levels, gut health, thyroid issues, or nutrient
deficiencies) is another valid and helpful step.
what often makes things harder is the stigma
— the blame that people feel from others or even place on themselves. too
often, people are judged for their size or symptoms without anyone
understanding what they are truly going through.
taking responsibility is important, but so
is compassion. real, lasting support often starts with looking at the whole
person, not just numbers on a scale.
stigma can go both ways. while some people
are judged for eating too much or living in larger bodies, others are judged
for eating very little, avoiding food, or being underweight. this can affect
people with:
anorexia nervosa or other restrictive eating
disorders
ibs, crohn’s, or other gut conditions that
make eating painful or difficult
sensory sensitivities, such as in autism,
where food textures, smells, or routines cause avoidance
anxiety, trauma, or depression, which often
reduce appetite
and just like those who overeat may not
fully understand why they do, those who under-eat may also be confused,
ashamed, or fearful of food. comments like “just eat something” or “you’re too
skinny” don’t help and can cause deep harm.
here’s a short version that could go on a
new slide:
stigma can go both ways
people are also judged for eating too
little, not eating at all, or being underweight.
this can be linked to eating disorders, gut
illness, mental health issues, or sensory needs.
it’s not always a choice — sometimes, food
causes pain or distress.
blame and pressure make things worse.
support and understanding are key.
owerpoint title:
preventing stigma around eating disorders
and health conditions
slide 1: title slide
title: preventing stigma around eating
disorders and health conditions
subtitle: understanding, compassion, and
support
your name / organization (optional)
slide 2: what is stigma?
stigma means unfair negative beliefs about
people.
it can make people feel ashamed or alone.
stigma affects many health issues, including
eating disorders.
slide 3: common misunderstandings
people might think eating disorders are
about being “picky” or “attention-seeking.”
people with ibs or obesity may be blamed
unfairly.
these ideas are wrong and hurt people’s
feelings and health.
slide 4: how stigma affects people
makes people hide their problems.
stops people from getting help.
can cause stress, anxiety, and worsen
health.
slide 5: why understanding matters
eating disorders and health conditions are
medical issues.
everyone deserves kindness and support.
learning the facts helps us all be more
caring.
slide 6: how to prevent stigma
use respectful language (e.g., “person with
an eating disorder,” not “anorexic”).
don’t judge or blame people for their
illness.
listen and offer support without making
assumptions.
slide 7: how to support someone struggling
encourage them to seek professional help.
be patient and non-judgmental.
offer to learn more together about their
condition.
slide 8: remember: you can help
your words and actions matter.
treat everyone with respect and kindness.
together, we can stop stigma and make a
safer, more understanding world.
slide 9: resources and help
list local or online support organizations
(e.g., national eating disorders association - neda)
hotlines or websites for eating disorders
and related health issues.
slide 10: questions and discussion
invite questions or sharing experiences.
thank you for listening!
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