Eating Disorders in a Subcontinent Famed for Its Cuisine

Check in with yourself: This blog contains content that may be distressing to some individuals.

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders are some of the deadliest of mental health issues. They are defined as behavioral conditions marked by severe and persistent disturbance in eating behaviors in addition to associated distressing thoughts and emotions. The DSM-5 lists 8 types of disorders in total. The most common forms are: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Can be devastating to individuals and their loved ones, and even fatal. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of all of the mental health disorders.

Who is affected?

Anyone can encounter mental health issues or eating disorders, regardless of their demographics. Disordered eating is more common amongst women. And while it is more widely discussed in Western society, again, this doesn't mean that people of all backgrounds don't experience this problem (Kaler 2021). Eating disorders don't discriminate! Some studies have shown higher risk of certain eating disorders for South Asians versus Caucasians, particularly disorders that involve purging (self-induced expulsion of food from the body via vomiting or taking excessive laxatives). These may occur in higher rates for South Asians due to reasons that will be discussed further down the page. 

Disordered eating within South Asia:

Many cultures consider the topic of eating disorders to be rather taboo. The same applies in South Asia. South Asian subcultures have their own ideas about mental and emotional wellness, which don’t necessarily align with modern Western psychology. For example, many communitites have turned to shamans and healers for thousands of years, rather than psychologists or psychiatrists. Nonetheless, recent scientific research indicates that disordered eating is on the rise in South Asia. This may be surprising due to the contrasting image one might have of high proportions of impovershed and malnurished people in this region. Eating disorders are still fairly rare within South Asia but the rates are steadily increasing (Dave, 2008).

Why are eating disorders on the uprise in South Asia?

There are a number of factors that culminate in an eating disorder. These include genetic, biological, sociocultural, environmental, and psychological factors (Dalal, 2017). As globalization continues, South Asia has been subjected to adjust from a its traditional backgrounds towards standards of westernized society. Previous generations around the world including here in the US have not has as much acceptance and understanding of mental health issues.

There are a few elements of South Asian culture that may also be contributing towards the cause of eating disorders in this region. Many subcultures have strong familial values which often includes high parental control and overprotection of children. There is also a lot of emphasis on the spiritual, religious, and traditional role of food, which is often a means of bringing people together. Along with this comes many pressures to overeat. 

Simultaneously, weight related teasing and criticism from family and peers is prevalent. This can cause a vicous and dangerous dichotomy where South Asia individuals might feel pestered and overwhelmed on both sides of the spectrum. Of course a lack of knowledge, resources and treatment doesn't help the issue, either. 

Currently available resources:

Because eating disorders are still relatively rare in India and South Asia, there aren't a vast amout of resources or treatments available. A google search of eating disorder treatment in India returns very few results in contrast with its vast population size. 

Solutions moving forwards:

More research about eating disorders within South Asian populations and subcultures is necessary in order to investigate its causes and possible solutions. As of yet, research on eating disorders within India has been very sparse (Vaidyanathan, Kuppili, & Menon, 2019). Knowledge and education about this topic needs to be more widespread. The topic generally needs to be normalized, as do broader conversations about mental health.

It is crucial for everyone around the world to decline the notion that certain diets or body types lead to happiness. Critically analyze the media’s portrayal of self-esteem and body image.

by Nina Rice

Dalal, S. (2017). The Unique Factors That Contribute to Eating Disorders in India. The Swaddle. Retrieved March 10, 2022, from https://theswaddle.com/cultural-risk-factors-of-eating-disorders-in-india/

Dave, B. (2018). Eating Disorders in Men and South Asian Women. The University of Warwick.

Kaler, H. (2021). Dealing With an Eating Disorder as a South Asian. Shit You Should Care About. Retrieved March 10, 2022, from https://shityoushouldcareabout.com/article/eating-disorders-as-a-south-asian

Nivedita, N., Sreenivasa, G., Sathyanarayana Rao, T. S., & Malini, S. S. (2018). Eating disorders: Prevalence in the student population of Mysore, South India. Indian journal of psychiatry, 60(4), 433–437. https://doi.org/10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_97_16

Shankar Ram, S. (2018). Eating disorders in the south asian community. Eating Anxiety Treatment (EAT) Laboratory & Clinic. Retrieved March 10, 2022, from https://www.louisvilleeatlab.com/blog--in-the-press/eating-disorders-in-the-south-asian-community

Sharan, P., & Sundar, A. S. (2015). Eating disorders in women. Indian journal of psychiatry, 57(2), S286–S295. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.161493

Vaidyanathan, S., Kuppili, P. P., & Menon, V. (2019). Eating Disorders: An Overview of Indian Research. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 41(4), 311–317. https://doi.org/10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_461_18