Every year, the National Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2025 is observed from February 22nd through February 28th. Eating disorders are severe but treatable mental and physical illness that affects the overall mood of all kinds of people, no matter their gender, age, weight, body shape, sexual orientation, race, or religion!
As per national surveys, over 20 million women and 10 million men across the US have had an eating disorder at some point in their lives.
This National Eating Disorder Awareness week, lets understand the risk factors and health consequences of an eating disorder! These consequences and factors range across biological, socio-cultural, and psychological scenarios.
Risk Factors on National Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2024
Understanding the risk factors involved is extremely important this National Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2024. Eating disorders are incredibly complex and can affect everyone. Risk factors involve a wide range of psychological, biological, and socio-cultural issues. These risk factors can interact in a different way for each individual since everyone can have different perspectives, symptoms, and experiences!
However, researchers have found specific broad categories to generally understand a few risk factors surrounding eating disorders. The factors listed below are applicable to those with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, or even OSFED.
Psychological
Perfectionism
One key risk factor in understanding this National Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2024 is perfectionism. Self-oriented perfectionism is something that involves setting really high expectations for oneself. In order to meet those, one tends to develop an eating disorder.
Dissatisfaction
People have issues with their body image. Most of the people who develop an eating disorder are dissatisfied. Their body image encompasses the way they feel about as well inside of their body. Those who develop an eating disorder because of body image issues report higher levels of dissatisfaction and the internalization of an ideal appearance.
Anxiety disorders
Most people with an eating disorder often have a history of an anxiety disorder at some point in their past. There is a significant subset of these two psychological conditions. Generalized anxiety, social phobia, OCD, it can be anything!
Rigidness
Apart from a personal history of anxiety disorders, people who developed an eating disorder often followed the rules a lot. They always had one right way to do a particular task. Most anorexic people were pretty inflexible in terms of their behavior in the past.
Biological
- Having close relatives with eating disorders. Studies show people with a first-degree relative with an eating disorder increase their chances of developing the same.
- A close relative with a mental illness can also increase your chances of developing an eating disorder. Anxiety, depression, and addiction often run in the family genes.
- Any history of dieting and weight-control methods is often associated with the development of binge eating in the past.
- A negative energy balance, burning off more calories than one takes, can start the disorder in some cases.
- Insulin-dependent, Type-1 diabetes can affect multiple people, causing people to develop an eating disorder.
Social
- The stigma associated with weight, that thin looks better can lead to dissatisfaction with ones body shape. This can lead to the development of an eating disorder.
- Any form of teasing and bullying can have multiple adverse effects on ones brain, especially regarding ones body image. This could lead to the development of such disorders.
- Ideal internalization or simply buying into this message that society spreads about what a perfect body looks like can increase the likelihood of developing eating disorders.
- Being socially isolated, lonely, and lack of many social networks are hallmarks of anorexia. Most people with such a disorder tend to have fewer friends or minimal social interaction with others. However, their link to social phobia or social anxiety is unclear yet.
- Trauma - historical or intergenerational, like present among the Jewish Holocaust survivors community can lead to intrusive trauma and stress. It also leads to depression, psychic numbing, unresolved grief, elevated mortality rates, and other negative consequences of such trauma. In turn, oppression of such kind can, in a few cases, lead to developing an eating disorder.
Health Consequences Of Eating Disorders
Apart from all the risk factors, understanding the expected health consequences is also extremely important for this National Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2024.
Cardiovascular System
- Not consuming enough calories means your body will break down its tissues to function. Muscles are the first organ that breaks down in such conditions, and one of the most important muscles in our body is our heart. Our blood pressure and pulse can begin to drop since our body is trying to eat our heart, which is necessary to fuel our entire body. This increases our risk for heart failure.
- A slow pulse common in athletes is often confused with the slow pulse with an eating disorder. The latter is because of a skeletal heart. However, a low heart rate is a common symptom of people with an eating disorder.
- Purging out stuff by laxative abuse or vomiting can rid your body of critical chemicals like electrolytes. Electrolyte potassium serves an essential purpose in our hearts functionality - for beating and contracting. Other electrolytes, like chloride and sodium, can also be rid of our bodies by being in a state of imbalance. Electrolyte imbalances can also lead to irregular heartbeats and eventually death due to heart failure.
1. Gastrointestinal System
Gastroparesis, also known as slowed digestion, is a way of restricting food in your body. People often purge and dispel food by vomiting, interfering with digestion or nutrition. This can also lead to -
- Bloating
- Vomiting and nausea
- Fluctuations in blood sugar
- Blocked intestines due to undigested food being stuck
- Bacterial infections
- Feeling fuller even after eating a minimal quantity of food
2. Constipation can also have multiple causes, like:
- Inadequate amounts of nutrients consumed. This means that there is not enough food in our intestines for our digestive system to eliminate.
- Not getting enough nutrition for a long time can often weaken the muscles in our intestines, leaving them without the strength to function correctly in the long run.
- Laxative abuse can also lead to the decline of our bodies due to nerve damage. Our bodies might be dependent on them permanently for bowel movements.
3. Binge eating causes our stomach to rupture, which is a life-threatening condition.
4. Vomiting wears down our esophagus and can often lead to rupturing of the same. This is also a life-threatening condition.
- Frequent vomiting can also lead to a hoarse voice and sore throat.
5. People who make themselves vomit for a long time can develop swelling around the front of their ears and salivary glands under their jaw. This also happens when people stop vomiting.
6. Purging as well as malnutrition can cause pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of our pancreas. Pancreatitis symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and pain.
7. Perforation, infections, and intestinal obstructions like:
- Physical obstruction of our intestines due to ingested items.
- Intestinal obstruction and blockages prevent food and water from being dispelled through the intestines.
- Bezoar is a trapped mass of indigestible material in our gastrointestinal tract.
- Infections like toxocariasis toxoplasmosis can occur because of ingesting dirt and/or feces.
- Intestinal perforation caused due to ingestion of nonfood items can create holes in our stomach, bowel, and intestines wall.
- Poisoning or heavy metal poisoning due to ingestion of lead-based paint.
Neurological
1. Even though our brain weighs just three pounds, it tends to consume at least one-fifth of our bodys calories. So, dieting, fasting, erratic eating, and even self-starvation can lead to our brain not getting enough energy it requires. This can lead to people losing concentration.
2. Fullness or extreme hunger during bedtime can cause difficulties falling or staying asleep for long.
3. Our neurons need insulating from a protective layer of lipids to conduct electricity. Not consuming enough fat can damage this layer, which causes numbness and tingling in our hands and feet.
4. Our neurons require electrolytes to send chemical and electrical signals to our brain and body. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance can also lead to muscle cramps and seizures.
5. If our brain and our blood vessels are unable to push enough blood to our brain, it can lead to dizziness and fainting, especially when standing.
6. People with higher body weight are at an increased risk of sleep apnea, which is a disorder where a person can stop breathing while they are asleep.
Endocrine
1. Our body can make most of its necessary hormones with the help of cholesterol and fat that we consume through food. Our hormone levels can suffer from the lack of calories and fat, including testosterone, estrogen, and thyroid hormones. Due to the imbalance in estrogen, women can also experience an irregular menstruation cycle, sometimes even stopping entirely.
2. Hormonal imbalances can also lead to an increase in bone loss, also called osteoporosis or osteopenia. It leads to an increase in the risk of broken bones as well as fractures.
3. A reduction in our resting metabolic rate happens due to our body trying to conserve its energy.
4. Binge eating can increase our chances of our body becoming resistant to insulin, which is a hormone that gets power from carbohydrates. This can eventually lead to Type 2 diabetes.
5. Without enough energy in our body to fuel our metabolism, our body temperature can drop, and hypothermia might develop.
6. Starvation can cause our cholesterol levels to rise. Although, this is not a clear indication to restrict our dietary fat, cholesterol, and even lipids.
Other Health Consequences
1. A low caloric and fat-based diet can cause our skin to dry and hair to fall out by being brittle.
2. In order to conserve enough warmth, our body tries to grow extremely fine and downy hair, also called lanugo.
3. Severe dehydration can often cause kidney failure.
4. Lack of nutrition by not eating enough can decrease the intensity of some kinds of blood cells.
5. Anemia can develop when there is a low number of RBCs in our blood or a lack of iron in our diet.
6. Other problems our bodies develop due to lack of nutrition are weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
7. Malnutrition can also cause a lack of WBCs, which help fight infections in our bodies.
To Summarize
Eating disorders of all forms are severe and life-threatening. They can affect a persons emotions as well as physical health. They are so much more than just a phase!
People just dont go about their lives catching an eating disorder. It is a struggle. This National Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2024, lets come together and understand the consequences and risks involved to raise awareness and educate people about the dangers involved!
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These exercises should be offered because they:Protect joints from gradual damageImprove balance, flexibility, and coordinationSupports weight control and heart healthReduces stress and promotes relaxationWorks well for beginners and experienced exercisersIn short, they're not just for recovery. Low impact routines can be the foundation of exercise 2025 because they're effective and sustainable.Building Your Own Low Impact RoutineHere's how you can put together a weekly plan:Cardio base - Walking, cycling, or swimming three to four times a week.Strength training - Resistance bands, light weights, or Pilates twice a week.Mobility and balance - Yoga or Tai Chi two to three times a week.Listen to your body - Take recovery seriously. Even low impact workouts can wear you out if you overdo them.For exercise for older adults, the focus should lean more on balance, flexibility, and strength for daily living. For younger adults, low impact training can be mixed with occasional higher intensity sessions if desired.The Future of FitnessAs we look at exercise 2025, it's clear the focus is shifting. People want workouts that last a lifetime, not ones that burn them out in a year. Functional fitness and joint-friendly workouts are leading this change.Low impact doesn't mean you're holding back. It means you're training in a way that keeps you active, mobile, and injury-free. Whether you're new to fitness, recovering from an injury, or exploring exercise for older adults, low impact routines are worth making a core part of your plan.You may also like: Best Exercises To Lose Belly Fat And Get A Flat StomachFinal WordIn 2025, fitness isn't about punishing your body. It's about taking care of it. Low impact workouts-walking, swimming, cycling, yoga, resistance bands, and Tai Chi-show that you can build strength, stay flexible, and protect your joints all at once.If you're looking for a realistic way to stay active, especially through joint-friendly workouts and exercise for older adults, this is the path forward. Add in the principles of functional fitness, and you've got a routine built not just for now, but for the long run.
Best Mood Boosting Foods and Adaptogen Foods for You
Food isn't just fuel - it sets the tone for how you feel every single day. If you've ever noticed how a sugar-heavy breakfast leaves you cranky by noon or how a hearty balanced meal makes you calm, that's the direct link between what you eat and your mood. The truth is, there are certain mood boosting foods that can genuinely lift your energy, sharpen focus, and keep stress in check. Alongside that, there's a special category known as adaptogens foods, herbs and plants that support your body's stress response.Both play different roles but work brilliantly together. Let's break them down in a way that's easy to use, with actual food examples and some practical ways to fit them into daily life.What Makes a Food "Mood Boosting"?Not every meal has the power to shift your mood, but some foods do because of the nutrients they carry. Mood boosting food usually contains one (or more) of the following:Tryptophan and amino acids - precursors to serotonin and dopamine, your "feel-good" brain chemicals.Healthy fats - the brain thrives on good fats, especially omega-3s.Magnesium and B vitamins - critical for stress regulation and nerve health.Antioxidants - they fight oxidative stress, which otherwise drags down mood and energy.Stable carbs and fiber - they prevent blood sugar crashes, which are classic triggers for irritability.That's the science. But in plain terms: foods that keep your energy steady, protect your brain, and help your body make the right chemicals fall under mood boosting foods.Also check: 10 Easy and Healthy Nutrition Recipes for a Balanced DietAdaptogens Foods: A Step BeyondNow, adaptogens are a different story. Think of them as herbs and roots that don't just nourish but actually train your body to handle stress better. Adaptogens food doesn't just fill you up - it interacts with your adrenal system, balancing cortisol (your stress hormone), improving resilience, and helping you recover from mental and physical fatigue.Some examples of classic adaptogens foods include:Ashwagandha - calming, supports sleep and reduces anxiety.Tulsi (Holy Basil) - clears the head, great for stress relief.Maca root - energy and hormone balance.Reishi mushrooms - grounding, immune supportive, calming.Licorice root - supports adrenal function, especially in times of burnout.The beauty of foods with adaptogens is that you don't need huge amounts. A small spoon of powder in your smoothie, a tulsi tea at night, or even an herbal snack ball can be enough.How Mood Boosting Foods and Adaptogens Work TogetherMood boosting foods cover your daily base: steady energy, brain support, and nutrient balance.Adaptogens foods come in as extra armor, especially during stress-heavy weeks or when you feel mentally drained.For example: oatmeal with berries and chia seeds is a solid mood-boosting food breakfast. Add a teaspoon of maca powder, and suddenly it becomes a meal that also falls into the "foods with adaptogens" category.Everyday Mood Boosting Foods to Keep AroundHere's a breakdown of everyday mood-boosting foods you can actually eat without hunting down rare ingredients:Fatty fish - Salmon, sardines, and mackerel are loaded with omega-3s. These fats keep brain cells flexible and directly impact mood regulation.Eggs - They pack protein, vitamin B12, and choline. Great for steady energy.Dark leafy greens - Spinach, kale, Swiss chard: magnesium powerhouses. Low magnesium is linked to higher stress and anxiety.Nuts and seeds - Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, chia, flax. They give you healthy fats and fiber.Berries - Antioxidant rich and naturally sweet. They fight oxidative stress, which is often overlooked in mood discussions.Dark chocolate - Real chocolate (70%+ cocoa), not candy bars. It improves blood flow in the brain and offers a quick mental lift.Fermented foods - Yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut. Your gut and brain are connected, so a healthy gut = better mood.Whole grains - Brown rice, oats, quinoa. They prevent the sugar spikes and dips that wreck your mood.Keep these on rotation, and you'll notice fewer crashes and more mental stability.Also check: 10 Outrageously Delicious Sandwich Ideas To Blow Your MindAdaptogens Foods You Can Actually UseNow let's get specific with adaptogens food you can start with. These herbs may sound "wellness trendy," but they've been used for centuries in Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, and traditional healing.Ashwagandha: Best for people dealing with anxiety, irritability, or sleep struggles. Works well in warm milk or even chocolate drinks.Tulsi (Holy Basil): Excellent in tea form. It has a calming yet clear-headed effect, ideal for mid-day breaks.Licorice root: Often made into tea. Good for fatigue, but if you have blood pressure issues, use lightly.Maca: The easiest adaptogen to use. Toss a spoonful into smoothies or oatmeal. It has a nutty, earthy flavor.Reishi: Great for evenings because it calms the nervous system. Works best as tea or powder.Lion's Mane: A mushroom that supports focus and memory. Many people use it in coffee alternatives.These are not instant fixes - adaptogens foods work over time. Think weeks, not days.Recipes with Foods and AdaptogensAdding adaptogens doesn't have to feel complicated. Here are some easy examples inspired by Ayurvedic recipes:Tulsi Date Nut Balls - Blend dates, cashews, and sunflower seeds with a spoon of tulsi powder. Roll into bite-size snacks. You get healthy fats + fiber + adaptogens.Ashwagandha Hot Chocolate - Mix cocoa powder, a dash of cinnamon, and ashwagandha into warm almond milk. Sweeten with honey if you like.Maca Oatmeal Bowl - Make oatmeal, then stir in maca powder, berries, and a spoon of almond butter. That's mood boosting food plus adaptogens food in one bowl.Rose Licorice Latte - Steep licorice root with rose petals, then add warm milk. A calming drink for winding down.These little swaps are how you transform regular meals into foods with adaptogens without making your diet complicated.Building a Mood-Friendly Day of EatingHere's how you could structure meals to get a mix of mood-boosting foods and adaptogens foods:Breakfast: Oats with chia seeds, blueberries, walnuts, and a spoon of maca.Snack: Yogurt with flaxseed and a few dark chocolate chips.Lunch: Grilled salmon, quinoa, and spinach salad with olive oil.Afternoon: Tulsi tea with a tulsi date nut ball.Dinner: Stir-fry with chicken or tofu, colorful veggies, garlic, ginger, and brown rice. Add turmeric for extra antioxidants.Evening: Rose licorice latte or ashwagandha hot chocolate.This plan shows how both categories fit naturally into daily life.Things to Keep in MindStart small - especially with adaptogens. Half a teaspoon in tea or smoothies is plenty.Quality matters - not all powders or teas are pure. Buy from trusted brands.Don't skip basics - eating an occasional adaptogen while living on processed food won't work. The foundation is still balanced meals.Patience is key - mood boosting foods often show quick benefits, but adaptogens foods work slowly and steadily.Why This Matters NowStress, low energy, and anxiety are everywhere. People turn to caffeine or sugar for quick fixes, but those crash later. Building your diet around mood-boosting foods and sprinkling in foods with adaptogens is a smarter, long-term strategy. You feel better, sleep better, and handle challenges without burning out.Don't Miss: 9 Delicious Ice Cream Topping Ideas For Your Next Party!Final ThoughtsThe takeaway is simple: your plate is a powerful tool. Mood boosting food keeps you balanced day to day, while adaptogens food builds resilience over time. You don't need exotic rituals - just small additions like tulsi tea, dark chocolate with ashwagandha, or a maca oatmeal bowl.When you combine these consistently, your body doesn't just survive stress - it adapts to it. That's the difference between dragging yourself through the week and actually feeling steady, calm, and energized.
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