Eating Disorders in China: Meeting the Rising Need for Resources

Contributor: Courtney Howard, B.A., Director of Operations & Business Development at Eating Disorder Hope and Addiction Hope.

There is a common misconception that eating disorders only occur in white teenage girls, but the reality is that mental illnesses do not discriminate.

Eating disorders can affect absolutely anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, socioeconomic status, or geographic location.  China and other Asian countries have seen a rise in eating disorders in the past few decades. Until the 1990s, eating disorders were rarely diagnosed or studied in these regions.

Though there is little statistical information on the true prevalence of eating disorders throughout China, recent recognition of rising rates indicate more attention will now be paid to this population. With this needs to come an increase in resources available to the local eating disorder community.

The Effects of Modernization

Eating disorders likely occurred in these Asian populations long before they were recognized, but there does seem to be a recent rise in eating disorders that coincides with modernization throughout the continent.

In the past, larger body types in women were idolized in Chinese culture as reflecting success and prosperity. This was especially true during and after the 1960s, when Mao Zedong’s attempt at industrialization throughout the nation failed and many were left starving. For this reason, older generations throughout China still associate food and rounder stomachs with success.

Though the increase in eating disorders in Asia cannot be solely attributed to Westernization and the media, a 2000 study [1] does “… give credence to the view that societal modernization fosters disordered eating in women.” Researchers surveyed female high school students in three cities ranging from bustling Hong Kong to rural Hunan and found those in more modernized Hong Kong were thinner but reported more body dissatisfaction and concern over dieting than the other communities.

Modernization is likely just one component of the eating disorder boom that China is currently facing.

Stigma Against Eating Disorders

The stigma surrounding mental illness is not unique to China. However, this region is arguably behind the times when it comes to mental health awareness and actively reducing said stigma.

A recent Los Angeles Times article [2] explains that officials throughout China are not yet ready to tackle this eating disorder epidemic, but instead focus on fighting obesity. Similar to the campaigns against obesity in the United States, it could be argued that these initiatives are well-intentioned but miss the target. Increased sensitivity to the needs of the eating disorder community during these movements worldwide could reduce their negative impact on those at high risk for the development of disordered eating.

When eating disorders are shrouded in stigma, there is a silence that accompanies them and keeps people sick. It makes disordered behaviors easily excused and socially acceptable.

For example, a social media challenge called the A4 Waist Challenge started in China and quickly went viral. It involved social media users taking pictures while holding up a standard A4 piece of paper vertically to see if it fully covered their stomach.

Not only is this easy to distort depending on how far away the paper is from your stomach and the camera, but it promotes and glamorizes an unrealistic body type and can be highly triggering for those within the eating disorder community.

As with other viral social media challenges originated from other countries, the individuals who participated in the A4 Waist Challenge were mostly praised for their small waists rather than looked at with concern over their behavior.

Mental health stigma throughout Asia can be especially prevalent in rural countries, where less is typically known about mental illness. Disordered food behaviors might be attributed to other causes, and individuals often turn to religion as the primary means of healing. While spirituality can be an important part of someone’s recovery, there are other components that need to be addressed in eating disorder cases.

Treatment Throughout Asia

There are select eating disorder treatment centers available throughout China.

The aforementioned Los Angeles Times article [2] featured Li Xueni, who runs Peking University Sixth Hospital’s inpatient eating disorder unit. Xueni explains, “Are there enough treatment centers? Of course not. Often after visiting, doctors come to the conclusion that they don’t have the necessary resources to establish another facility at their hospital.”

Though there are more eating disorder resources available to those struggling now than in the past, these treatment centers have not been able to keep up with the rise in eating disorders throughout China.

If you or a loved one is struggling, do not let the stigma or lack of resources near you keep you from seeking help. In addition to treatment centers in China, there are resources in Southeast Asia for those struggling with eating disorders, including counseling services and individual providers. Remember that recovery is possible.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

How can we help raise awareness for eating disorders in China and increase the availability of resources?

---

About the Author: Courtney Howard is the Director of Operations & Business Development at Eating Disorder Hope and Addiction Hope. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. from San Diego State University, holds a paralegal certificate in Family Law, and is a Certified Domestic Violence Advocate. After obtaining her certification as a life coach, Courtney launched Lionheart Eating Disorder Recovery Coaching in 2015 and continues to be a passionate advocate for awareness and recovery.

---

References:

[1]:  Lee, S. and Lee, A. M. (2000), Disordered eating in three communities of China: A comparative study of female high school students in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and rural Hunan. Int. J. Eat. Disord., 27: 317–327.
[2]:  Meyers, J. (2016). “China once struggled to feed its people. Now it’s seeing a rise in eating disorders.” Los Angeles Times, retrieved online Sept. 9, 2016.

---

The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on September 9, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com