Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and Eating Disorders

After experiencing centuries of oppression and multigenerational trauma, despite the resilience of the First people of Australia, it is no surprise that Indigenous Australians also experience eating disorders at an increased rate than non-indigenous Australians. A main factor accounting for this is that, trauma, discrimination and stigma can increase the risk of developing an eating disorder. 

Research has found that in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders that binge eating disorder is more prevalent in comparison to non-indigenous counterparts. It has been suggested that this may be because of an increased association of high overvaluation of body weight and shape among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. A contributing factor to this being the beauty standard in Australia being euro-centric causing populations who do not fit those standards to feel ostracised. Furthermore, these contributing factors can lead to poor psychological and social wellbeing that increases risk for developing an eating disorder.

However, there are some issues with effectiveness of addressing eating disorders in Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islanders;

• Underrepresented in research – Lack of research papers on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with eating disorders and the ones that do often have a low participant number indicating that prevalence numbers of eating disorders cannot truly be accounted for.
• Diagnostic tools – Lack of diagnostic tools for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders that properly take into account multigenerational trauma and other factors including social stigma. 
• Lack of treatment plans that account for cultural and historical differences – For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, treatment plans for other mental disorders e.g. depression, anxiety often utilise a holistic approach that takes culture into account. As a result, a holistic approach such as integrating community may be an effective treatment plan.
• Underrepresentation of healthcare workers that are specialised in eating disorders that are culturally competent for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

So what is being done about this? In 2021, the Butterfly Foundation began the “EveryBODY is Deadly” campaign to begin open dialogue in Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders communities and reduce stigma surrounding eating disorders and body image related issues. You can find out more here

Photo Source: Pixabay – https://pixabay.com/vectors/aboriginal-australian-flag-28581/

Sources used:

Burt, A., Mitchison, D., Doyle, K., & Hay, P. (2020). Eating disorders amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: a scoping review. Journal of Eating Disorders, 8(1), 1-8.

Butterfly Foundation. (2022). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Butterfly Foundation https://butterfly.org.au/eating-disorders/who-does-it-affect/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples/