Treatment and support for people facing eating disorders and Obesity.📘 Easy Read Text

 

What are Eating Disorders and Obesity?

• Eating disorders are when someone has unhealthy thoughts and behaviours about food, body image, or weight.

• Obesity is when a person has too much body fat that may harm their health.

• Both can affect mental and physical health.

Shared Risk Factors

Eating disorders and obesity are often treated separately, but research shows they have many things in common:

• Feeling unhappy with body shape or weight

• Dieting or restricting food

• Stress, trauma, or bullying about weight

• Family teasing or body shaming

Brain and Biology

• Scientists found a brain receptor called NMUR2 that helps control binge eating.

• If NMUR2 doesn’t work properly, people may overeat high-fat foods.

• This research may help develop new treatments.

Brain-Based Treatments

• New therapies like neurofeedback and real-time brain scans (fMRI) help people control emotions and food cravings.

• These treatments can support both eating disorders and obesity.

Family and Emotional Factors

• Teens teased by family about weight are more likely to feel bad about their bodies, have low self-esteem, or eat in unhealthy ways.

• If parents are negative about their own bodies, children may copy these feelings.

• Trauma or neglect in childhood can lead to emotional eating later in life.

Why This Matters

• Eating disorders and obesity share many causes.

• People need support that is kind and free from blame.

• Families, schools, and communities should avoid weight stigma.

Treatment and Support Should Include:

• Compassionate, non-judgmental care

• Emotional skills and trauma support

• Brain-based therapies

• Family involvement in treatment