9 Truths about Eating Disorders

In May 2015, the Academy for Eating Disorders and several international advocacy organizations issued a document entitled “Nine Truths About Eating Disorders” (nine truths website). The Academy for Eating Disorders wanted to emphasize truths rather than dispelling myths about eating disorders, as a way to offer evidence and create more general knowledge about eating disorders.

Truth One

Many people with eating disorders look healthy, yet may be extremely ill.

Truth Two

Families are not to blame, and can be the patients’ and providers’ best allies in treatment.

Truth Three

An eating disorder diagnosis is a health crisis that disrupts personal and family functioning.

Truth Four

Eating disorders are not choices, but serious biologically influenced illnesses.

Truth Five

Eating disorders affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, body shapes and weights, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses.

Truth Six

Eating disorders carry an increased risk for both suicide and medical complications.

Truth Seven

Genes and environment play important roles in the development of eating disorders.

Truth Eight

Genes alone do not predict who will develop eating disorders.

Truth Nine

Full recovery from an eating disorder is possible. Early detection and intervention are important.

Meka Tahi

He maha te hunga e pāngia ana e ngā mate kai he hauora ō rātau āhua, engari pea kei te tino māuiui.

Meka Rua

Kāore nō ngā whānau te hē, ā, ko rātau pea ngā tino hoa o ngā tūroro me ngā kaiwhakarato e pā ana ki te whakamaimoa.

Meka Toru

He raruraru hauora tētahi whakatau mate kai, ā, he whakararuraru i ngā whakahaere a te tangata me te whānau.

Meka Whā

Ehara ngā mate kai i te kōwhiringa, engari he mate kino ēnei i whakaawetia e te koiora.

Meka Rima

Ka whai pānga ngā mate kai ki ngā tāngata nō ngā ira tangata katoa, ngā iwi, ngā mātāwaka, ngā momo hanga me te taumaha, hōkakatanga, me ngā tūranga ohapori katoa.

Meka Ono

Mai i ngā mate kai ko te piki haere o te mōrea o ngā raruraru mate whakamomori me te hauora.

Meka Whitu

He mea hira ngā ira me te taiao i roto i te whanaketanga o ngā mate kai.

Meka Waru

Kāore mā ngā ira anake e tohu ko wai ka pāngia e ngā mate kai.

Meka Iwa

Ka taea te whakaora mai i tētahi mate kai. He mea nui kia tōmua te kite me te whakatikatika.

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