I was introduced to the concept of the Eating Issue and Body Image Continuum when I first began working in the area of eating issues/disorders. It made so much sense to me and has been a helpful perspective for both counselling clients and other professionals alike.
A lot of fantastic work continues to be done to bust myths and raise awareness about the complexity, seriousness and life-threatening nature of Eating Disorders (EDs). While this is incredibly important, I worry sometimes that focusing on a relatively narrow presentation of EDs paves the way for an “othering” of those experiencing eating disorders, rather than acknowledging how common disordered eating and exercise habits are.
A lot of behaviours and attitudes towards our bodies and food can be unhelpful, even if they don’t fit within the category of a diagnosable eating disorder. Our society promotes, encourages and praises ways of treating our bodies that is not only harmful, but can directly increase our risk of developing an eating disorder. The Eating Issues and Body Image Continuum puts the development and experience of eating disorders into a broader context and offers a holistic representation of the various ways people in society relate to food, exercise, and our bodies; including signs that we might be moving in an unhelpful, and potentially dangerous, direction.
A Brief Look at the Continuum
The very definition of a continuum or spectrum means that the points I've plotted on the continuum below are not strict categories. The reality is that we are fluid and dynamic in how we relate to food, eating, exercise and our bodies. You may simultaneously relate to behaviours and attitudes at different points on the continuum or you may identify as being somewhere in between the points I've plotted here. For example,you might be feeling quite confident and flexible regarding food, but experiencing challenges around body image.

Point 1: Flexible, intuitive eating. Confidence about body size/shape.
Maintained sense of trust confidence and self-worth (despite messages from society)
Exercise is intuitive, enjoyable and flexible
Food choices guided by: hunger and fullness cues and preferences (outside of allergies, health conditions, etc)
No fear, shame and guilt about food, exercise or body
Point 2: Preoccupation with food, dieting. Regular attempts to change body size and shape.
Point 3: Disordered eating. Distress about body.
Point 4: Eating disordered and disturbed body image.
We each experience different protective and risk factors which influence where we go (or stay) on the continuum. Many behaviours and attitudes highlighted in the centre points of the continuum are normalised (and often encouraged) in our society. While some people won’t move past this point, for others these behaviours can become very harmful and put them at risk of developing an eating disorder.
Remember...
There’s NO shame in experiencing any of the listed behaviours/feelings. They are understandable given all the messages we receive about our bodies, food and exercise and our society’s obsession with diets, fitness, “clean eating”.
You are NEVER “not sick enough”. You are deserving of support at any point along the continuum, whether it’s for significant challenges or preventative care.
Early intervention is KEY! Knowing behaviours and attitudes that may put us and the people we love at risk has potential to save so much suffering.
Weight, Size and body shape are NOT specific to any part of the continuum. Eating and body image issues can occur in ANY body. Behaviours that put people at risk for EDs don’t become less risky due to size or weight.
Thinking about eating and body image issues as happening on a continuum highlights that we are all in this together. It can help us to empathise with, and better understand, other people’s experiences as well as our own relationship with food, exercise, and our bodies. It is also gives us opportunities for prevention and early intervention; encouraging us to support ourselves and others before we, or they, are really struggling.
Whether you feel your issues are mild or serious, it’s important to get support as soon as possible.If you have any questions about the continuum or would benefit for support with your own relationship with food, exercise and/or your body, please get in touch.
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