Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Content Warning: Discussion of Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders Awareness Week runs from February 24 – March 2 2025

Did you know that eating and feeding disorders are often comorbid with Autism and ADHD?

It is estimated that 20-30% of individuals with eating disorders are on the autism spectrum.

Autistic individuals can struggle with food intake for interoceptive reasons (they struggle to read their body’s hunger cues). Sensory reasons (the textures and smells are problematic). Or their need for routine and sameness (which does not allow for a varied, balanced diet). They may also struggle with the executive function skills necessary to meal plan and cook for themselves.

ADHD individuals have nearly 4 times the risk of developing an eating disorder than their typical peers.

This can be due to interoceptive and sensory issues, and more. Some people with ADHD overeat or binge eat as a way of self-medicating. Others become distracted and forget to eat entirely for long stretches of time. Some individuals can become hyperfocused on their food intake or body image, which can cause bulimia or anorexia. Others develop disordered eating because they use food as a reward system to motivate themselves. Cooking is also a challenge for many ADHD-ers, as it is easy to become sidetracked during the multiple steps it takes to plan, shop, prep, and cook for oneself.

The National Alliance for Eating Disorders states that: “restrictive-type eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), are consistently linked to perfectionism, obsessive-compulsiveness, rigidity, hypersensitivity, anxiousness, impulsiveness, sensitivity to reward and punishment, and competitiveness.”

These are all well-known autistic and ADHD traits. No wonder there is so much overlap!

If you or your loved one struggles with food intake, you are certainly not alone. Many families can relate to the struggle. You don’t need figure it all out on your own.

Speak to your doctor about nutritionists, feeding therapy, or eating disorder resources in your community, and be sure to connect with families online who understand.

Related Posts:

What Are Feeding Disorders?

Kraft Dinner in a Taco Shell (and Other Things I Never Thought I’d Cook)

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