Lipedema: Eating Disorders & Body Dysmorphia

Lipedema affects about 1 in 10 women. When looking at common symptoms that change how we see our bodies, key signs include weight gain, pain, decreased mobility, and a change in body tissue. Often, usual dieting and exercise don't work in the ways we expect. Sudden weight gain without a change in lifestyle or food intake is common and goes unexplained, sometimes for decades. Still, these women eat less and less trying to win the battle they're in, which can lead to things like a loss of muscle mass, weakness, fatigue, malnourishment, and giving up usual life activities.

A German study showed that up to 74% of those with lipedema report previous or present eating disorders. Research shows that those with atypical body presentation, like higher weight, are more likely to have delayed or missed diagnosis. When considering what contributes to this, factors include the eat less/exercise more mentality plus shame and guilt. Often there is an assumption that diagnosis of disordered eating requires an emaciated body, but many women at higher weights, especially with a condition like lipedema, are eating the same amount or even less than those who are diagnosed with anorexia. There is an implied non-compliance with guidelines from health care providers, even when women try to explain their strict diets or extreme exercise routines. The medical community, family, and friends often see these women as having no will power, as evidenced (to them) by lack of weight loss. There is a trend towards non-reporting of behavior and eating patterns both because of the above factors leading to silence, and the questions simply not being asked. Women may also dismiss their health concerns because of family members' similar body shape and symptoms (ie, "all the women in my family look like this").

For those living with body dysmorphia, 90% report significant distress or impairment in daily life. According to the Mayo Clinic, body dysmorphia is a mental health condition in which you can't stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance. Associated challenges include feelings of embarrassment, shame and anxiety that lead to avoiding social/public situations, an intense focus on appearance and body image, repeatedly checking the mirror, grooming or seeking reassurance, and an inability to accurately perceive actual body shape/size. Often there is an inability to see actual changes in one's own body, such as always seeing oneself a larger size than one is or feeling the reflection in the mirror is always the same despite evidence of change in shape or size. Lipedema women regularly report these types of perceptions and behaviors at greater numbers than the average population.

Your worth isn't determined by the size and shape of your body! You were created for a purpose, and you deserve to be nourished: body, mind, soul. Having a condition that changes your body shape and size doesn't determine your value. Your body requires nutrition to heal and thrive so you need to eat enough to support not only an adult body, but one that is desperate to heal! Find something to love about yourself. Speak something positive about your amazing body every day. Extend grace to yourself, and know you're not alone.

Want to learn more? Watch my interview with a licensed counselor: https://youtu.be/snh6Af-TmH4