Diets: A Potential Gateway to An Eating Disorder?

Restrictive diets have been popular since the first weight loss diet in the 19th century. Diet after diet are sold to us as effective methods for weight loss whether it’s the Paleo, Zone, 5:2 or Weight Watchers diet. However not one of these “fad” diets takes into consideration an individuals health and, to some extent more importantly, their mental health. It is therefore crucial to look at a restrictive diets long-term effect on overall physical health along with the potential negative impact they may have on mental health, as a history of dieting is one of the common predisposing factors seen in individuals who go on to develop eating disorders.

Many people are drawn to restrictive diets due to promises of rapid weight loss. You are often required to cut out entire food groups (namely carbohydrate or fat, depending on which enemy they have chosen for said diet), severely limiting caloric intake, or following rigid eating schedules. Individuals may initially experience rapid weight loss and this, along with positive comments from other people, can make them feel great, experience a boost in confidence and believe that the diet is working. YAY - they’ve found the magic one, finally… Unfortunately not.

Engaging in restrictive eating can create a slippery slope towards the development of disordered eating or, a full blown eating disorder. The constant focus on weight and what you are, or are not, allowed to eat along with rigid rules, and foods being labeled as “good” or “bad”, can set an individual on their path to developing an unhealthy relationship with food. Obsessive food thoughts may increase anxiety levels and a distorted body image. As individuals become more entrenched in these restrictive behaviours, the risk of transitioning to a full-blown eating disorder, such as anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa, increases.

Restrictive diets do not teach an individual new long -erm food behaviours, instead they focus on strategies that are nearly impossible to maintain long-term. Physiologically, restriction slows down ones metabolism making it nearly impossible to maintain the weight loss, due to the body literally slowing down your calorie burning ability in order to preserve life. This fear that you are in a state of famine (your body doesn’t understand that you have decided to follow this months new diet) mixed with restriction can lead to an increased hunger and when you “give in” to this hunger feelings of guilt and shame are often experienced as they are associated with "breaking" the rules. This physical and emotional response in response to dieting can contribute to a cycle of restriction followed by binge-eating episodes, further perpetuating disordered eating patterns.

We are born with the ability to regulate our food intake. If you watch a child, they eat when they are hungry and they stop when they are full. Embarking on diets causes us to lose our capability to listen to our internal hunger and fullness cues. Instead we learn to look at external plans or rules to tell us what to eat and when. But how does a diet know how hungry we are that day? We become numb to our own bodily signals.

Following diets religiously can also start to lead to social isolation as dining out or participating in social events around food becomes challenging. This isolation may contribute to feelings of loneliness and exacerbate the negative psychological impact of the restrictive diet.

Beyond the mental health implications, restrictive diets can also have severe physical consequences. Nutrient deficiencies, electrolyte imbalances, and other health complications may arise due to the lack of variety and balance in the diet.

So, while the marketing of a promised weight loss may seem alluring and the next restrictive diets may seem tempting, it's crucial to recognise their potential risks, particularly concerning mental health. The path from restrictive eating to a full-fledged eating disorder is a serious concern. Encouraging a balanced approach to nutrition and promoting a “healthful” relationship with food is essential for overall well-being. As individuals consider their dietary choices, it's vital to prioritise both physical and mental health, steering clear of restrictive practices that may pave the way for more severe eating disorders.