08/17/2026
Eating disorders do not always begin with dieting or concerns about weight. Sometimes a very real health problem changes a person's relationship with food.
GI symptoms, autoimmune conditions, chronic pain, and necessary dietary restrictions can lead to increasing anxiety about eating, physical symptoms, and which foods feel safe. For some people, those concerns can eventually develop into an eating disorder.
You can read a full article on this topic in Psychology Today.
Physical illness can change how we experience food and our bodies. For some, necessary dietary changes can lead to food anxiety, restriction, and an eating disorder.