Eating Disorders Don’t Discriminate: Stories of Illness, Hope and Recovery from Diverse Voices

by Chukwuemeka Nwuba (Editor), Janet Treasure (Foreword), Dave Chawner (Contributor)

Eating disorders know no boundaries. They don't discriminate. Every story of living with an eating disorder is unique. Eating Disorders Don't Discriminate brings together thirty-one of them, each tackling the stereotypes and misconceptions about what eating disorders look like and who they impact. Athletes, activists, directors, models, health professionals, and more share their experiences of eating disorders, including binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, ARFID and OSFED, and highlight the complexities of how race, gender, culture and social media can influence our experiences of body and food. Compiled by Dr Chuks Nwuba, who has cared for some of the UK's most unwell eating disorder patients, and TikToker and eating disorder advocate Bailey Spinn, this stirring anthology is one of hope and encouragement for anyone who feels misunderstood and underrepresented. With writing
Rachael Alder-Byrne - Molly Bartrip - Sophie Baverstock - Hana Brannigan - Cynthia Bulik - Dianne Buswell - Lee Chambers - Dave Chawner - Sam Clark-Stone - Megan Jayne Crabbe - James Downs - Shannon Dymond - Emme - Becky Excell - Lindsey Holland - Bobby Kasmire - Sam Layton - Amalie Lee - Raffela Mancuso - Ro Mitchell - Bayadir Mohamed-Osman - Smriti Mundhra - George Mycock - Marilyn Okoro - Nigel Owens - Jasmine C. Perry - Laura Mae Ramsey - Lara Rebecca - Kristina Saffran - Selly - Ryan Sheldon - Clare Steedman - Afftene Ceri Taylor - Amanda Taylor - Eva Trujillo - Hope Virgo - Jessica Wilson

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Memoir

304 pages, Paperback

Published February 21, 2024

Reviews

[Liralen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eating Disorders Don't Discriminate pulls together essays from various voices—leaning heavily towards content creators—about, well, eating disorders and some of the misconceptions about them.

As with any collection of essays, some feel stronger than others, and readers' mileage will vary. I found myself wishing that some of the authors of section introductions had been allotted space for full essays, as the introductions tended to be written by professionals in the field, while the essays tended to be written by people with platforms. (Including one of the editors, I counted 11 bios that included the number of followers a given writer has on social media. More than bit odd to me, but maybe something that will go over better with Gen Z?)

One thing that I found disappointing was the emphasis on anorexia over other eating disorders. The focus on anorexia is intentional:

Bailey and I think it's important to mention that there are noticeably more essays for anorexia nervosa. This is not to say that it's more important, or indeed, more common. As already mentioned, it isn't. Far from it. This is intentional, and due to the large amount of attention it receives, there are equally many misconceptions about it, and as a result a lot of dismantling via these stories that we felt needed to happen. (loc. 521*)

But it also seems really odd that this comment comes on the heels of acknowledging that anorexia gets a truly disproportionate amount of attention:

In the world of academia [...] anorexia nervosa assumes a disproportionately large amount of eating disorder research funding. [...] out of 190 studies of eating disorders, 72 (38%) were for anorexia nervosa [...]. This is despite anorexia nervosa making up only 8 per cent of all eating disorders. (loc. 263)

A quick count from the table of contents—4 essays on BED; 5 essays on bulimia; 11 essays on anorexia; 4 essays on ARFID; 3 essays on OSFED; and 2 essays on other ED-related topics. That's a total of 29 essays (plus introductions, interludes, etc.), which puts the proportion of essays about anorexia at...38 percent. Now, it's unusual that the book covers ARFID and OSFED in any detail, and I appreciate that—ARFID in particular is so rarely discussed. But 'there are misconceptions' is true for any of the disorders discussed in this book, and even if anorexia had been skipped altogether there still would have been material for this book plus a sequel plus a few more sequels talking about some of the un-talked-about aspects, and myths vs. reality, of eating disorders. I've read...okay, not everything out there, but a significant proportion of everything out there, on the topic, and I'm not convinced that there's anything so new in here as to claim that the emphasis should remain on anorexia. Very much reads to me as though anorexia is still the most acceptable eating disorder to write about.

It's an interesting book for the mix of topics, but I think the most valuable parts are the in the sections of the book that have been given the least space, such as when someone with atypical anorexia (all the symptoms of anorexia but a bigger body) asks How can I find comfort in a community that has the common fear of looking like me? How can I recover when people automatically assume that I have a binge eating disorder just by looking at me? (loc. 3112)—and in the in-between sections of the book by people who have the credentials to back up their expertise rather than claiming to be an 'expert by experience' (loc. 2029). I loved seeing the essays on ARFID and atypical anorexia in particular, because there's so little out there about them, but if you're looking for something outside the box this book is probably most useful for those few essays.

Thanks to the authors and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

*Quotes are from an ARC and may not be final.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. It's very important that the "lesser-known" eating disorders also get some attention, and this book does that very well. I struggled with what we now call ARFID for over ten years, and I rarely read something else about ARFID, even though it is quite common (especially among people with ADHD & on the Autism Spectrum like me).

The short chapters make this very easy to read, but because of that, some stories really miss some depth. I appreciate that the editors made sure the stories won't be triggering for readers, but that also makes most of them shallow. I was also a bit annoyed by the short piece on veganism (how it can worsen eating disorder behaviour) and "ethnic" eating (the assumption that foreign food is less healthy than traditional "white food"). Thankfully, later, one of the stories is from a vegan who describes that veganism doesn't equal bad health, and that a vegan lifestyle adapted for ethical reasons is no bad thing. Of course, there are people who use these lifestyles as a way to restrict certain foods "with permission", but in my experience, those people are in the minority. And everywhere I go, people associate "ethnic" eating with healthy, homemade, fresh food and good meals. So that little paragraph was very different from what I know. But I guess I am no dietician pr psychiatrist, just an "expert by experience".

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions.

[Mona · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5: Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book-- It was an interesting, easy read containing essays on eating disorders from a diverse range of individuals with different genders, body types, cultural backgrounds, and personal/professional experiences. While I really enjoyed some essays and learned a good amount, many of them fell short, lacked depth, and left me wanting more. I think the book could have benefitted from more trans and queer voices as well as more / deeper content essays on non-anorexia eating disorders.

[Boo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ interesting reading other people experiences but a bit broad strokes as opposed to in-depth which I would have preferred.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. It was a great read to stretch out of my comfort zone! I am not a non-fiction reader by nature so this wasn't my favorite book ever. Ultimately, I loved the narrative, personal experiance of the individuals the most, especially in the sections that weren't anorexia nerviosa (Stereotypical eating disorder). I love the use of voice and narrative to break up the long, sometimes dull, informative sections. Additionally, if you're a clinical professional, this book may be a good intro into eating disorders, however, for the average person, this book might turn into a little more of an intellectual read than I typically prefer.

[♡ ellie ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good and accessible resource, I think it would be particularly beneficial in schools

[Kimberly Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This compelling collection of stories, curated by Dr. Chuks Nwuba and Bailey Spinn, serves as a beacon of hope and empowerment for those suffering from eating disorders. More importantly however, is that this provides hope for those that may often feel underrepresented in the “eating disorder” world. Thirty-one different stories are provided within this anthology. This book provides a view into the world of individuals who don’t fit the “typical” profile of an eating disorder sufferer. This is especially pertinent as there are so many different types of disordered eating patterns. While I enjoyed the stories presented, I felt that they were too short and lacked in-depth information. I would have wanted more information to be provided.

This book is notable in that it features contributions from a diverse group of people, diverse in many ways: race, geography, and socioeconomic. This book has showcased that there no longer is a “conventional” eating disorder, and this will foster greater awareness and understanding among sufferers, providers, and family members. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

[sian roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the broad spectrum of voices and types of ED this book explored, and Dr Chuks scientific breakdown of each disorder. I only hoped for more depth in some of the writers stories. Some only scratched the surface of their journeys whilst some authors stories felt more of a self promotion for their current ventures (podcasts, book, etc) whereas I wanted to know more about them and their journey; some writers only got a couple pages each.

I respect the books decision to not delve into the traumatic and triggering relationship an individual has to
Their disorder and to only mention what’s relevant to
The individuals stories. It’s a very nuanced and difficult topic especially for those in recovery and this book makes a special effort to uplift and not potentially send someone into a relapse or slow their recovery journey

Overall an excellent starter into the science of EDs and intro to ED recovery voices & resources, I’m excited
To know more about some of the authors involved and how sharing their experiences could potentially lift up others from similar backgrounds or suffering with similar disorders

[Kira K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book was an amazing read for me both personally and professionally. Although it was hard at time to read thought processes and experiences that reflected my own when I was at my sickest, it was really helpful to hear about the different eating disorders from people who have actually lived with them. I also really appreciated the fact that lesser known and understood conditions such as Diabulimia, muscle dysmorphia and orthorexia to help bring light to the more complex issues. Professionally, it is also great to hear from those with the conditions themselves as at times it can be hard for some professionals to be able to relate or separate the lesson from the actualities of living with a condition.

Favourite Quote:
"Getting back to normal' eating habits with a healthy relationship with food is a process and different for everyone, but it's totally totally worth it. We only have this life, and life is definitely too short to worry about food!"

[Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Eating Disorders Don't Discriminate," delves into the diverse experiences of individuals grappling with eating disorders, shattering stereotypes associated with age, gender, race, body size, and diagnosis. This book serves as an essential resource, offering an honest portrayal of what many face.

The strength of the book lies in its ability to highlight the indiscriminate nature of eating disorders, dispelling misconceptions prevalent in society and primary care. By presenting a wide spectrum of narratives, the authors contributes significantly to the ongoing efforts to raise awareness and destigmatize these disorders.

As an Eating Disorder professional, I commend the book for its dedication to education and its impact on fostering empathy. However, it is acknowledged that the text provides a broad overview, leaving room for future works to explore the nuanced complexities surrounding eating disorders, especially for a professional audience where more of the science would go a long way.

In conclusion, "Eating Disorders Don't Discriminate" is a commendable contribution to the literature, emphasising the need for society to confront the issue of eating disorders.

[Ava Courtney Sylvester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eating Disorders can Affect Anyone

Through sharing the voices of 31 people affected by the five major eating disorders, as well as framing them with introductions and interludes from a medical doctor who treats this patient group, "Eating Disorders Don't Discriminate" proves its title on every page.

The contributors featured here come from a variety of racial, national, and socioeconomic backgrounds, although a later edition could be enhanced further by including more than a couple gay or queer writers and adding at least one person who is trans or nonbinary, particularly as the lead author himself mentions the high prevalence of earing disorders in the LGBTQIA+ population.

Ultimately, by featuring people who might not fit the stereotypical mold of what eating disorders are thought to look like, this book could be crucial in helping others recognize that perhaps their child, their partner, their friend, their client, or themselves might have an eating disorder, too.

[Imogen Hodges · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars
I so wanted to enjoy this book but found at times annoyance or some of the comments made and whether it was appropraite for people to contribute who were still actively struggling or in a place of quasi recovery.
The editor spoke of Anorexia being the least common eating disorder but this was the biggest chapter with many of the contributors for Anorexia bring white females who are still slim - I enjoyed the diverse contributors but would have liked more diverse writers for the Anorexia chapter.
See below notes from during the read:
How did a mental health doctor think for so long eating disorders only affect the white women demographic!?

Again how did this doctor get to working in his first eating disorder unit to realise anyone could have an eating disorder!?

[Lovely Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW - Eating Disorders Don't Discriminate; Stories of Illness, Hope and Recovery from Diverse Voices
by Edited by Dr Chukwuemeka Nwuba and Bailey Spinn

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a beautiful collection of lived experience stories highlighting various eating disorders. It was a great read, particularly for UK-based people, but insightful for anyone.

With ED's lived experience, it took a long time for me actually to get through this book. I needed to be in the right mood actually to pick it up. But it is good when you have the space and energy to be engaged with it.

I always support ED promotion, and this book does a lot to break down the stereotypes associated with EDs.

[Liv · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent collection of personal stories and opinions. Few of them were superb writers, but that's okay. Enjoyed the different perspectives, and especially the resource list at the end. It was good to get an overview of each disorder with personal, diverse stories. I was especially grateful for the black & brown, and male, perspectives of eating disorders and cultural backgrounds. And I was really intrigued by the mention of how severe food allergies & autism/neurodivergence can connect to/lead to disordered eating.

[NrsKelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful mix of personal experiences mixed with clinical information. The discussion of various eating disorders, such as binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, ARFID, and OSFED definitely gives the reader a chance to understand that anorexia and bulimia (while the normally focused upon disorders) are not the only eating disorders.
Definitely a good read for someone who isn’t in the field but is looking to understand themselves or someone else with an eating disorder.

[lizzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5: Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book!

Eating Disorders Don't Discriminate was an interesting read. As someone who doesn't have an eating disorder, but disordered eating, it was highly educational to see other disorders that don't get a lot of time to shine. I did like the the book pointed out that anorexia has the most awareness in society, being the most common eating disorder that is spoken about.

All in all, a great and informative read.

[Mackenzie (taleswithtank)]

This should be necessary reading for anyone who works in the field of mental health—and not just in eating disorder treatment! I first heard about this book at Dr. Chuks Renfrew Center conference keynote and I’m so glad I picked it up. This book highlights so many important aspects of eating disorders and eating disorder treatment from the collaborative treatment teams to the importance of lived experiences and the lack of inclusive and diverse research in this field.

[Alec ⟠]

This book was an interesting look into eating disorders and how different they can be, with lots of case studies and anecdotes from people who have gone through the disorders or are in recovery. I found some parts a bit difficult to read as they felt very personal, but I think this book can be a very useful resource for those who feel ready or comfortable to read about these issues. It was well edited and the sections were all really well-written. A great book!

[Carolina Tenorio-Espinosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and informative read. It was refreshing to hear from different cultures, and genders on their experience with eating disorders and how it has affected them and their recovery. I would have liked some of the sections to be more in depth in terms of cultural issues and personally perspective but overall I still enjoyed it. It was layed out well, and read easily.

[Ozias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley & Jessica Kingsley Publishers for this ARC.

This book is full of hope, but more importantly, it's realistic hope. I was particularly taken by the use of rugby as an analogy for recovery, as it made perfect sense. I think this may be particularly helpful for family/carers of clients, particularly as it has a wealth of resources at the end

[Kamila Irvine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the presented reality of eating disorders told in the varied perspectives and personal experiences. I really appreciate this book as a teaching resource. I've set the book as reading on my "Body Image and Eating Disorders" module foe 3rd year Psychology students at the University of Lincoln. Highly recommended

[Spines and Spokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a book about eating disorders that challenges all the taboos and stereotypes of our society, but also raises awareness. As someone who was hospitalised and had an ED it is uplifting to finally have a book with experiences in that aren’t triggering and provide hope. I’ve raved about this on my Instagram during EDAW 2024 when it came out, it’s wonderful

[Tutankhamun18 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology of eating disorder experiences from people of colour (and some white men) and it is fantastic. Written like a helpful hug, individuals share how the overcame their disorders (or made big steps towards recovery) without dwelling on their disordered behaviours alongside fantastic medical facts about society's prejudice around who suffers from an eating disorder. This was great!

[Kelly Pramberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The organization of this book into sections was something I liked. It was easy to find the parts I was most interested in reading. The topics are very intense, but digestible. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I think therapists will want to keep this book on their shelf.

[Emma Lake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loses stars for no essays from those in non-abled bodies or those in their senior years. I feel the LGBTQIA+ community should have been better represented too. I do appreciate that no book can cover every experience.

[Ag · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very inclusive, compassionate, and validating anthology. Indeed, eating disorders do not discriminate. Unlike people.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good scientific background, mentioning some really valuable points about diversity within ED patients and dietitians. Personal stories were valuable and well-written!