4. Nourish to Flourish
Eating disorders. In South Asian communities, they are often seen as a "white" problem--and those who suffer from eating disorders are largely described as just "watching their weight." Only emphasizing the unhealthy beauty standards that South Asian communities push upon their members, eating disorders can be a traumatic, lifelong experience. TWD speaks with Vaidehi Gajjar, a survivor of an eating disorder, and Dr. Rachita Sharma, a licensed therapist at the University of North Texas, about eating disorders, the effects on survivors and the unique concerns of South Asian sufferers of these sometimes deadly disorders.
Join the Conversation
Eating disorders aren't mentioned often in the South Asian community because we already have such an awful perspective on eating and what is good for us. Have you noticed this too?
References and Resources
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Why So Many South-Asian Women Have Eating Disorders: A great article on Vice about British-Asian women and their high risk of eating disorders
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Conspiracy of silence: cultural conflict as a risk factor for the development of eating disorders among second-generation Canadian South Asian women: a study on Canadian South Asian women and the development of eating disorders among them
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6 Common Types of Eating Disorders, by Healthline: An explanation of various disorders and how to identify them
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Eating Disorders Information from the National Institute of Mental Health
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Warning Signs, Symptoms, and Ways to Help from the National Eating Disorders Association: A comprehensive look at eating disorders and ways to help loved ones who struggle with them