#143 - "I Developed a Restrictive Eating Disorder in Elementary School. Here’s Why It Wasn’t Diagnosed for Over a Decade" with Gloria Oladipo
Let’s talk about eating disorders that are born from culture and hidden in plain sight. My guest to share her personal story is Gloria Oladipo, a 20-year-old Black woman who developed an eating disorder in elementary school that went undiagnosed for over a decade. A student at Cornell University, Gloria also works as a freelance writer and has been published in Teen Vogue, Healthline, Wear Your Voice, Bitch Media, Bustle, and other publications.
Here’s a short summary of what we discussed and other resources you may find helpful in the topic of eating disorders:
- Stories of marginalized identities with eating disorders are common, but they are treated like they are rare.
- Well-intended health information is bred in teachers and school communities and it’s harmful to almost all kids by perpetuating weight bias, body shame, and teaching disordered behaviors with food and movement.
- Why it took so long for a grown up (a college therapist) to affirm Gloria’s body and encourage eating disorder treatment.
- The “sad reality” that binge eating disorder treatment markets weight loss outcomes and why it must stop.
- Why lack of access to helping professionals of color and size is problematic for eating disorder recovery. (For more on this listen to Episode 77: Diversity in Dietetics – Why cultural competency isn’t enough to improve health care with Tamara Melton, RDN, Co-Founder of Diversify Dietetics)
- Full list of NEDA resources, including a collaboration with Instagram, a video, links, and more.
- NEDA is doing amazing policy work for legislation for eating disorder education and resources. Learn about it and support The Eating Disorders Prevention in Schools Act
- Health is doing a series on misdiagnosed eating disorders. Hear from Savala Trepczynski The Real Reasons Why My Disordered Eating Went Unnoticed by Almost Everyone and from Shira Rosenbluth: I Had an Eating Disorder for 21 Years—but Doctors Wouldn't Diagnose Me With Anorexia Because of My Weight
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About GloriaGloria Oladipo is a 20-year-old Black woman and eating disorder survivor. She works as a freelance writer and has been published in Teen Vogue, Healthline, Wear Your Voice, Bitch Media, Bustle, and other publications. She usually writes about her personal experiences at the intersections of mental health, race, and gender as well as politics, pop culture, and TV/Film. Moreover, Gloria is a current junior at Cornell University studying Government (with a minor in Arabic), English (with a minor in Creative Writing), and Performing Arts.
Gloria has struggled with an eating disorder for over five years and began seeking recovery her freshmen year of college. She uses her writing to speak candidly about her experiences with her eating disorder and co-morbid illnesses as well as her experience in the eating disorder diagnosis and treatment process as a Black woman. In her free time, Gloria enjoys reading, writing, drawing, watching plays, and generally reconnecting with her passions as she seeks recovery.
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Nothing in this podcast is meant to provide medical diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Individuals should consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical advice and answers to personal health questions.