This post was originally published on Defender Network
By Laura OnyenehoThe topic of eating disorders is often complex and unexplored in the Black community. Stereotypes and misconceptions have resulted in a limited understanding of these disorders, leaving many struggling individuals without proper support.When you turn on the TV or watch movies and shows, the subject focuses mostly on young white women. There is a trend that perpetuates this perception that eating disorders primarily affect white individuals, encapsulated in the acronym “SWAG” for “skinny, white, affluent girl.” This narrow viewpoint has led to a troubling belief that eating disorders are not a concern for Black women, even within their own community.Startling statistics indicate that nearly nine percent of the U.S. population, equivalent to 28.8 million Americans, will grapple with an eating disorder in their lifetime. Remarkably, eating disorders rank as some of the deadliest mental illnesses, second only to opioid abuse, as noted by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.