Eating disorders are serious, complex mental health conditions and they are more common than many people realise. Whether you are concerned about yourself or someone you care about, knowing what to look for can make a real difference.
An eating disorder is a mental health condition characterised by an unhealthy relationship with food, eating, and body image. The most commonly seen types are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.
Within their study, Chua et al. (2021) identified that around 6.2% of Singaporean adults screened positive for a clinical eating disorder, 37% for subclinical eating disorder and 19.5% at high risk for developing an eating disorder, with only 1.6% of those actually receiving treatment.
This pattern of under-diagnosis is not unique to Singapore — at least 1.25 million people in the UK are currently living with an eating disorder (Beat, 2025), and in Australia, eating disorders affect approximately 22.2% of young people and adolescents (Hay et al., 2023), suggesting a global gap between prevalence and care.
This illustrates a concerning picture of under-diagnosis and under-treatment. We have written this post to communicate the signs of eating disorders and when to seek help.
1. What are the physical signs of an eating disorder?
There are a range of physical signs that can be present with an eating disorder..Here are physical symptoms worth paying attention to:
- Noticeable and rapid weight changes — either loss or gain
- Feeling cold all the time, especially in the hands and feet
- Fainting, dizziness, or low energy
- Hair thinning or loss
- Swollen cheeks or jaw pain (a sign of purging behaviours)
- Calluses or cuts on the knuckles
- Irregular or absent menstrual periods
- Bloating, constipation, or digestive discomfort
Pro tip: Physical symptoms alone do not confirm an eating disorder. A GP can help rule out other causes and point you in the right direction.
2. What are the behavioural signs of an eating disorder?
Behavioural changes are often the earliest indicators. You may notice the following in yourself or someone close to you:
- Skipping meals regularly or making excuses to avoid eating
- Eating very small portions or cutting out entire food groups without a medical reason
- Eating in secret or hiding food
- Going to the bathroom immediately after meals
- Excessive or compulsive exercise — even when ill or injured
- Wearing baggy clothing to conceal body changes
- Rigid rituals around food, such as cutting food into tiny pieces or eating in a specific order
These behaviours are often driven by fear and anxiety. Approaching a conversation with someone displaying these behaviours should be with compassion, without judgement and in a private setting.
Pro tip: Eating disorders are complex and nuanced. Encouraging the individual to seek support from a healthcare professional with ED experience should be the goal of these conversations.
3. What are the emotional and psychological signs of an eating disorder?
Eating disorders live largely in the mind. The emotional signs can be just as telling as the physical ones:
- Low self-esteem that is heavily tied to appearance or weight
- Intense fear of gaining weight
- Distorted body image
- Increased food noise (Obsessive thoughts about food, calories, or dieting that take over)
- Feelings of guilt or shame after eating
- Withdrawing from social events, particularly those involving food
- Mood swings, anxiety, or depression linked to eating
4. Are eating disorders only about weight?
This is a common misconception. Not everyone with an eating disorder is underweight. In fact, many people with bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder are at a “normal” or higher body weight.
An eating disorder is defined by a person’s relationship with food and their body. You cannot tell if someone has an eating disorder simply by looking at them.
Key takeaway: Weight is not always a reliable indicator. Emotional and behavioural signs matter just as much and are important for early intervention.
5. Who is at risk of developing an eating disorder?
Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or background. However, research by Barakat et al. (2023), in the Journal of Eating Disorders, suggests certain factors may increase risk:
- A personal or family history of eating disorders
- Personality traits such as perfectionism, and comorbid mental health conditions
- Abuse, trauma, or adverse childhood experiences
- Body image-related pressures e.g., diet culture and exposure to appearance-focused social media
- Participation in certain sports or industries that emphasise body shape
If you recognise any of these signs we encourage you to reach out sooner rather than later. Early intervention makes a significant difference to recovery outcomes.
Research confirms that treatment within the first three years of an eating disorder offers the highest chance of recovery (Treasure & Russell, 2011). Beyond this window, disordered behaviours and thought patterns become more deeply entrenched, making the illness harder to treat and outcomes poorer.
If you would like to speak with one of our psychologists about eating disorder support, we are here to help. You do not have to navigate this alone.
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Written by Courtney Sinha, Clinical Psychologist at Us Therapy
Courtney is Australian-trained with experience in public health, schools, community clinics, and private practice settings, supporting children and adolescents experiencing a range of complex mental health difficulties. Her clinical work includes mood, anxiety disorders and eating disorders.