Statistics from the National Eating Disorders Association state that 9% of Americans, toppling over 30 million people, will struggle with an eating disorder at some point in their lives.
However, the statistics are unclear about how many struggle with disordered eating – but the guess is much higher.
A 2023 study published in JAMA Pediatrics reported that 22% of children across the globe show patterns of disordered eating. There are very few reports about these behaviors in adulthood.
Given the prevalence, it’s crucial to focus on disordered eating in behavioral health settings. It can show up as a symptom alongside mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, or be isolated on its own.
In this blog, we’ll explore what disordered eating means and ways to address it in behavioral health.
What does Disorder Eating Mean?
Disordered eating refers to irregular eating behaviors that could potentially meet the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder, such as:
- Restrictive eating
- Binge eating
- Emotional eating
- Chronic dieting
- Food avoidance
In addition to these behaviors, obsessive thoughts about food, weight, and body image also qualify as disordered eating. The psychological aspect is what differentiates disordered eating from
In behavioral health settings, disordered eating often coexists with conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, and substance use disorders. Residents/patients may use food—or the avoidance of it—as a coping mechanism, a form of control, or a way to manage distressing emotions. Because of this, addressing disordered eating requires a thoughtful, multidisciplinary approach that integrates both mental and physical health care.
4 Things to Do When Addressing Disordered Eating in Behavioral Health Settings
Here are some suggestions on how to approach disordered eating in a behavioral health setting.
1. Implement Structured Meals and Supervision
One of the most effective ways to support clients struggling with disordered eating is by creating consistency and predictability around meals. Structured meal times help regulate hunger cues, stabilize blood sugar levels, and reduce anxiety related to food choices. When clients know when and what they will eat, it removes a significant amount of decision fatigue and internal conflict.
Residential and intensive outpatient programs may benefit from structured meals even more due to the higher level of care needed for these residents/patients. This added supervision and structure isn’t about controlling meal times or as a form of punishment or restriction; it’s about support and accountability for residents/patients who may be struggling with eating.
Staff can gently redirect harmful behaviors, encourage adequate intake, and provide reassurance during what can be a highly distressing experience for clients. This also promotes person-centered care, a central part of eating disorder recovery.
2. Integrate Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) into the Treatment Team
Disordered eating has significant nutritional and physiological components that require specialized expertise. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) can provide this on a treatment team.
RDNs are trained to assess nutritional status, identify deficiencies, and develop individualized meal plans that support both physical and mental health. They can also provide nutrition education, helping clients separate myths from facts and build a healthier relationship with food.
In a collaborative, person-centered care model, RDNs work alongside therapists, psychiatrists, and case managers to ensure a cohesive treatment approach. For example, while a therapist may address the emotional drivers behind restrictive eating, an RDN can simultaneously help the client gradually reintroduce balanced meals in a safe and structured way.
Including RDNs also helps prevent well-meaning but potentially harmful guidance from non-nutrition professionals. Nutrition is a specialized field, and having an expert ensures that recommendations are evidence-based, appropriate, and tailored to each client’s needs.
3. Addressing Underlying Mental Health Needs
As stated earlier, disordered eating is hardly seen in isolation. It’s often a symptom of deeper emotional distress, maladaptive coping strategies, or trauma. Because of this, treatment must go deeper than addressing food-related behaviors and address underlying psychological factors.
Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care can be highly effective in helping clients understand the root causes of their eating behaviors. These modalities teach clients how to regulate emotions, challenge distorted thinking patterns, and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
For example, a client who restricts food intake as a way to feel in control may benefit from learning alternative ways to manage anxiety and uncertainty. Similarly, someone who engages in emotional eating may need support in identifying triggers and building distress tolerance skills.
4. Avoid Triggering Communication
Language plays a large role in shaping a person’s relationship with food and their body. When interacting with residents/patients it’s crucial to watch out for casual or unintended comments that could reinforce harmful beliefs or trigger disordered eating behaviors. Here are some tips on how to do that:
- Use neutral language around food (e.g., “balanced,” “nourishing,” or “varied” instead of “healthy” vs. “unhealthy”)
- Avoid commenting on body size, weight changes, or physical appearance
- Do not praise or criticize how much or how little a resident/patient eats
- Focus on internal cues and well-being rather than external appearance (e.g., energy levels, mood, strength)
- Refrain from discussing your own diet, weight goals, or food rules in front of residents/patients
- Gently redirect food-related anxiety with supportive, collaborative language
- Ask open-ended, nonjudgmental questions (e.g., “How are you feeling about meals today?”)
- Validate the patient’s experience without reinforcing disordered thoughts
- Be consistent as a team to ensure residents/patients receive the same supportive messaging
- Model calm, normalized eating behaviors and attitudes during meals
Creating a Safe Environment for Behavioral Health Residents to Overcome Disordered Eating
At Culinary Services Group, our goal is to serve all types of residents/patients in behavioral health communities and beyond – ensuring they have access to quality, person-centered care. Our programs are designed to be patient-centered, all the while being cost-effective and feasible for community leaders.
Schedule a consultation with a member of our sales team today to learn more.
