What Does Culturally Competent Eating Disorder Care Look Like?
Culturally competent ED care means recognizing and addressing the unique experiences, values, and challenges that individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds face when seeking treatment. Since eating disorders are often underdiagnosed in people of color , culturally competent care is essential for ensuring equitable, effective, and inclusive recovery support.
What Is Culturally Competent ED Care?
Culturally competent care means:
· Recognizing that EDs impact all races, ethnicities, and cultures—not just white, thin individuals
· Validating unique body image concerns, food traditions, and cultural influences on eating behaviors
· Providing inclusive and accessible treatment that respects different lived experiences
· Training ED professionals to recognize and treat ED symptoms in diverse populations
· Offering care in a way that feels safe, welcoming, and affirming for all individuals
· Culturally competent care ensures that treatment is personalized, inclusive, and accessible for people of all backgrounds
How Traditional ED Treatment Fails People of Color & Other Marginalized Groups
· Stereotypes & Misdiagnosis
o Many healthcare providers fail to recognize eating disorder symptoms in BIPOC individuals because EDs are stereotyped as a “white woman’s issue.”
o Example: A Black woman with binge-eating disorder (BED) might be labeled as having “poor self-control” rather than receiving an eating disorder diagnosis
· Eurocentric Beauty Standards and Body Image Bias
o Many treatment programs assume thinness is the goal, ignoring that different cultures have varied beauty ideals and body norms
o Example: Latinx or Black patients may struggle with weight stigma in their community while also facing fatphobia in eating disorder treatment
· Language and communication barriers
o Many eating disorder programs do not offer bilingual services or culturally relevant therapy
o Example: A Spanish-speaking patient may struggle to express their ED experiences if therapy is only available in English
· Lack of representation in eating disorder providers and research
o Most eating disorder specialists are white, and many BIPOC patients do not see themselves represented in treatment
o Most eating disorder research is based on white, middle-class populations, leading to treatment models that don’t fully address diverse experiences
· Traditional ED treatment often overlooks cultural influences on food, weight, and body image, making it harder for marginalized groups to access care.
What Does Culturally Competent ED Care Include?
· Culturally Aware Diagnosis & Screening
o Healthcare providers screen ALL patients for EDs, regardless of race, body size, or background
o Recognition of nontraditional ED behaviors (e.g., fasting for religious reasons, emotional eating, or body image concerns influenced by cultural expectations)
o Avoidance of weight bias & judgment in medical settings
· Representation in ED Providers & Treatment Approaches
o More BIPOC therapists, dietitians, and doctors in ED care
o Training for all ED professionals on racial identity, bias, and cultural sensitivity
o Incorporating BIPOC experiences in ED research and treatment models
· Inclusive Conversations About Body Image
o Acknowledging that body ideals vary across cultures
o Encouraging body acceptance rather than focusing only on thinness
o Addressing colorism, racism, and weight stigma as factors in body dissatisfaction
· Respect for Cultural Food Traditions
o Rejecting Eurocentric “clean eating” standards in meal planning
o Including familiar, culturally relevant foods in treatment plans
§ Example: Instead of prescribing only Western meals (e.g., salads, oatmeal), dietitians work with traditional foods like rice, plantains, or chapati
· Accessibility & Language Inclusion
o Bilingual therapy, meal support, and medical care for non-english speakers
o Affordable eating disorder treatment options & financial assistance programs
o Outreach in marginalized communities where eating disorders are underdiagnosed
· Trauma-Informed and Socially Aware Care
o Recognizing the impact of racism, poverty, and discrimination on food behaviors
o Addressing food insecurity and systemic barriers to nutrition
o Integrating mental health support for racial trauma & identity struggles
o True culturally competent eating disorder care is inclusive, affirming, and recognizes the unique lived experiences of diverse populations
How to Find Culturally Competent ED Care
If you’re looking for culturally inclusive ED treatment:
· Seek BIPOC therapists & dietitians (Therapy for Black Girls, Inclusive Therapists, Latinx Therapy)
· Look for ED programs that address food culture & diversity
· Advocate for bilingual or accessible care if needed
· Join BIPOC-led ED support groups for community & understanding
· Healing is possible when treatment recognizes YOUR experiences. You deserve care that affirms your identity and values.
Summary: What Does Culturally Competent ED Care Look Like?
· Screens ALL racial and ethnic groups for EDs—no assumptions
· Includes diverse providers and culturally aware treatment plans
· Recognizes varied body ideals and food traditions
· Addresses racism, weight stigma, and trauma as ED risk factors
· Offers language accessibility and financial support for treatment.
Eating disorder recovery should be inclusive, accessible, and affirming for everyone—regardless of race, culture, or background. You deserve care that truly understands YOU.
Disclaimer: This information is intended for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs immediate help, please contact a healthcare professional or crisis intervention service immediately.
