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Effects of eating disorders on your health

Written by
Gemma Davison
BS
Reviewed by
Eric Patterson
LPC
Editorial policy
Health disclaimer

Conditions like bulimia nervosa (BN), anorexia nervosa (AN), binge eating disorder (BED), and other eating disorders are serious, potentially life-threatening illnesses that affect all aspects of a person’s health, including their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The eating behaviors involved in these conditions can cause several side effects that can be equally dangerous.

Learning about various eating disorder side effects can help you or a loved one better understand what's happening physically, mentally, and emotionally. And it may help someone better understand the need to seek help for these conditions before it's too late.

Luckily, there are treatments available not just for eating disorders but for the side effects of eating disorders, including the long-term effects of eating disorders.

6
 minute read
Last updated on 
January 17, 2024
Eating disorders
In this article
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Common side effects of eating disorders

Different types of eating disorders have different types of impacts and can manifest in many different ways. Similarly, the effects of eating disorders on the body may vary from person to person. However, despite these differences, all side effects of eating disorders are something that should be treated with concern and proper care.

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While some eating disorders impact mental health, there are also many physical effects of eating disorders. Below are some of the more common—and concerning—eating disorder symptoms.

Neurological system
The human brain is notoriously energy-hungry, requiring many calories daily to function properly. Inconsistent or insufficient nutrition means the brain isn’t getting the energy it needs. This can lead to difficulty focusing or concentrating, dizziness, and fainting, among other concerns.1

For neurons to function correctly, they require an insulating layer of lipids to conduct electricity. If a person is restricting their fat intake, it can damage this protective layer, resulting in long-term effects of eating disorders, including tingling and numbness in the feet, hands, and other extremities.1

Someone may even be at a higher risk of seizures due to the effect of imbalanced electrolytes on neurons.1
Cardiovascular system
It’s quite common for people living with an eating disorder to suffer issues with their heart health. Cardiovascular complications are considered one of the leading causes of "sudden death," a condition that often results from long-term eating disorders.2

Long-term calorie restriction causes the body to break down its tissues for fuel. Muscles, including the heart, are some of the first tissues to be broken down. With less fuel to pump blood and fewer cells to do it with, blood pressure and heart rate begin to drop lower and lower. The lower the heart rate and blood pressure, the higher the risk of heart failure.1

Purging behaviors–such as vomiting and/or diuretic/laxative use–can also impact cardiovascular health. These behaviors lead to eating disorder side effects such as dehydration and low blood and potassium levels.1

This condition can be particularly dangerous as potassium plays an important role in helping the heartbeat and muscles contract.2,3 Over time, additional electrolyte imbalances can lead to irregular heart rhythms, heart failure, and death.1
Gastrointestinal system
Food restriction and/or purging to avoid weight gain can interfere with normal stomach emptying. This slowed digestion is known as gastroparesis and can lead to stomach pain and bloating, nausea and vomiting, blocked intestines, and bacterial infections.1

Constipation is also a common side effect of eating disorders. It’s caused by insufficient food and nutrient intake, which results in inadequate waste to eliminate and weakened intestinal muscles that don’t have the strength to expel digested food out of the body. Furthermore, long-term use of laxatives can damage nerve endings, which renders the body dependent on laxatives to have a bowel movement.1

Frequent self-induced vomiting and binge eating can also seriously affect the gastrointestinal system. Binge eating, in extreme cases, can cause the stomach to rupture, which is life-threatening. Vomiting can cause a sore throat, swollen salivary glands, and, in extreme cases, a ruptured esophagus.1Other effects of eating disorders on the gastrointestinal system include:1,4
  • Intestinal infections, blockages, or perforation
  • Pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas
  • Heartburn, acid regurgitation, and gastrointestinal reflux disorder (GERD)
  • Increased risk of esophageal cancer
  • Rectal prolapse as a result of chronic constipation
Endocrine system
Eating disorders affect the endocrine system in response to restriction and malnourishment, which results in fluctuations in the secretion of hormones to save energy.5 Additionally, without enough fat in the diet, levels of key hormones, including sex and thyroid hormones, can fall.1

Reduced production of sex hormones can cause a host of health issues, including bone loss and the risk of broken bones and fractures, as well as menstruation being delayed, irregular, or stopped altogether.1

It’s not just food restriction that can affect the endocrine system. Over time, binge eating can increase the chances of the body becoming resistant to insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels. This can lead to type II diabetes.1Other potential long-term effects of eating disorders on the endocrine and reproductive system include:1,5
  • Inability to recognize hunger and satiety cues
  • Pregnancy complications
  • Abnormal production of adrenal hormones, which can affect several bodily functions including metabolism, blood pressure, stress response, and immunity
The endocrine system is very delicate, so even after someone returns to a normal weight, it may take time for these eating disorder effects to recede.

Other effects of eating disorders

The side effects of eating disorders can manifest in several other ways, including:1,6

  • Increased risk of certain cancers
  • Dry skin, brittle hair and nails, and hair loss
  • Lanugo hai—the growth of fine, downy hair to conserve warmth during periods of malnutrition
  • Kidney failure due to severe, prolonged dehydration
  • Anemia from a lack of red blood cells and/or iron in the diet, which causes fatigue, shortness of breath, and weakness
  • Reduced immune function
  • Oral health issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems as a result of self-induced vomiting

Practicing healthy eating habits and receiving proper mental health treatment are both essential for recovering from eating disorders and the potential long-term effects of eating disorders.

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Finding help for the long-term effects of eating disorders

Eating disorders are complex conditions that affect both physical and mental well-being, but they don't have to be forever. Many different treatments can be used to help someone recover both their mental health and physical strength after struggling with an eating disorder.

And while seeking treatment early on has been connected to a greater likelihood of a full recovery, it’s never too late to start getting help. 

Help is available

At Within, our team of multidisciplinary experts can help address the various factors that work to develop and maintain long-term eating disorders, creating individual treatment plans for each patient to ensure they have the best possible route on the road to recovery.

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Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.

Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.

Resources

  1. Health Consequences. (2018, February 22). National Eating Disorders Association. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  2. Jáuregui-Garrido, B., & Jáuregui-Lobera, I. (2012). Sudden death in eating disorders. Vascular health and risk management, 8, 91–98.
  3. Sardar, M. R., Greway, A., DeAngelis, M., Tysko, E. O., Lehmann, S., Wohlstetter, M., & Patel, R. (2015). Cardiovascular Impact of Eating Disorders in Adults: A Single Center Experience and Literature Review. Heart Views: The Official Journal of the Gulf Heart Association, 16(3), 88–92.
  4. Santonicola, A., Gagliardi, M., Guarino, M. P. L., Siniscalchi, M., Ciacci, C., & Iovino, P. (2019). Eating Disorders and Gastrointestinal Diseases. Nutrients, 11(12), 3038.
  5. Miller, K. K. (2013). Endocrine effects of anorexia nervosa. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America, 42(3), 515–528.
  6. O’Brien, K. M., Whelan, D. R., Sandler, D. P., Hall, J. E., Weinberg, C. R. (2017). Predictors and long-term health outcomes of eating disorders. PLoS ONE, 12(7), e0181104.
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FAQs

Why are eating disorders dangerous?

Eating disorders can be dangerous for many reasons.

In and of themselves, the conditions are mental health disorders that can be difficult to overcome without appropriate care. And the disordered eating behaviors involved can lead to many physical issues.

If left untreated, the side effects of eating disorders can even be deadly. Treatment for these conditions exists, and it is never too late to seek help.

Further reading

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What causes an eating disorder: A biopsychosocial perspective

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