When does vegetarianism become a disorder?

Last summer, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) launched a billboard campaign that read, “Save the Whales. Lose the Blubber. Go Vegetarian.” It roused a great deal of controversy nationwide and was eventually pulled, but the concept itself hasn’t disappeared.

Although many women adapt vegetarian lifestyles to be healthier or to save animals and the environment, research suggests that some may honestly be more interested in losing weight.

A new study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association suggests that—while not in every case—a vegetarian diet can be an easy way to mask an eating disorder or lead to other extremely restrictive eating patterns.

While the study shows that about 15 percent of both vegetarians and omnivores ages 19-23 had engaged in binge eating or extreme dieting methods such as laxative pills or forced vomiting, among former vegetarians that number jumps to 27 percent. These findings suggest that those who try vegetarianism and abandon it may be actively seeking extreme means of weight loss.

Vegetarianism isn’t the only food-limiting diet plan that can lead to unhealthy relationships with food. Many religious practices also impose food limitations that teach women to restrict particular food groups. While not in all cases, it’s this discipline that can easily breed further food deprivations for weight loss or maintenance purposes.

Of course studies reveal the long-term benefits of vegetarianism (diets with heavy fruit and vegetable intake are associated with decreased risks of obesity and chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and some cancers). But healthy eating is not just about what we eat or how much we consume. We must also have positive attitudes about eating and be able to eat without fear, judgment or shame. Let’s just make sure we and all our friends are keeping any eating restrictions healthy and happy.

*Poster Image courtesy of the National Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2010 Campaign