Monday, February 2, 2026

Eating Disorders at Work: The Mental Health Issue Hiding in Plain Sight

This Eating Disorders Awareness Week, learn more about eating disorders in the workplace and why support matters.

They’re not just a teen girl problem.

They’re not because of vanity.

They’re not always visible, and you often can’t tell just by looking at someone that they’re struggling.

They’re eating disorders—a serious mental health issue that affects nearly 2.9 million Canadians of all sizes, ages, genders, and job types.

In the age of Ozempic, where diet talk in the break room is just as normal as discussing the weather, the stigma of eating disorders keeps too many workers silent and unsupported.

Eating Disorders Awareness Week in Canada runs from February 1–7. Take time to learn more about eating disorders and how to give and get support for those hiding in plain sight.

Types of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can be hard to recognize, especially because many symptoms can be hidden, rationalized as “healthy living,” “clean eating,” or mistaken for stress.

Here are the common categories of eating disorders:

Anorexia nervosa—Restriction of food intake, intense fear of weight gain, distorted body image; may include over-exercise.
Bulimia nervosa—Cycles of binge eating followed by vomiting, laxatives/diuretics, and/or compulsive exercise.
Binge eating disorder (BED)—Recurrent binge eating episodes with distress; without regular compensatory behaviours.
ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder)—Restriction driven by sensory sensitivity, fear of consequences (i.e. choking), or lack of interest in eating. Strongly associated with neurodivergent individuals.
OSFED (other specified feeding or eating disorder)—Clinically significant symptoms that don’t fit neatly into the above categories.
Atypical anorexia—Meets many anorexia criteria but weight may not be “low” by BMI standards, which is one reason size-based stereotypes are so harmful.
Orthorexia—Preoccupation with “clean” or “pure” eating. While not a formal diagnosis in the DSM, the pattern can still be harmful and deserves compassion and support.

While mental illness is widely recognized as a major contributor to premature death in Canada, many people don’t realize that eating disorders are among the most life-threatening mental health conditions. In fact, eating disorders have the highest overall mortality rate of any mental illness, with estimates ranging from 10–15%.

Eating disorders also rarely occur in isolation. Many individuals experience additional mental health challenges alongside their eating disorder, and approximately half meet the criteria for depression.

Signs Someone is Struggling

Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, size, or occupation. And they don’t stop at the door when someone clocks in for work.

You don’t need to be a mental health expert or try to diagnose anyone—just being aware of the signs can help you notice if a coworker may be struggling.

Frequent comments about weight, calories, “good/bad” foods, or guilt after eating.
Marked interest in and comments about others’ food choices and weight.
Skipping breaks or avoiding eating around others.
Sneaking and hiding food.
Increasing isolation, anxiety, irritability, or perfectionism.
Dizziness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, frequent and prolonged bathroom breaks after meals.
Irritation or marks on the knuckles, which can be associated with purging behaviours.
Compulsive exercise talk or distress when unable to work out.
Big changes in mood, attendance, or performance.

If you see these, the goal isn’t to “catch” someone—it’s to create safety and reduce stigma so people can reach for help earlier.

How to Support a Coworker (Without Making it Weird)

If you’re worried about someone:

Lead with care, not appearance.
Try: “I’ve noticed you seem stressed and not yourself lately. I’m here if you want to talk.”
Avoid: “You look too thin/you look healthier/you’ve lost weight!”
Don’t comment on food choices. Even positive comments (“you’re so disciplined/you’re being so good!”) can reinforce harmful cycles.
Offer practical support: “Want company on your break?” “Do you want help finding resources?” “Do you want me to sit with you while you call?”
If you’re a steward: focus on workplace impacts and accommodations, not details. People may need flexibility for appointments, breaks, modified duties, or time off—without having to “prove” they’re sick enough.

How to Get Support

If you’re struggling with an eating disorder yourself, you deserve support now. Not “when it gets worse," and even if you don’t fit the stereotypical picture of someone with an eating disorder.

Talk to a trusted health professional (family doctor, nurse practitioner, therapist).
Use your benefits/EFAP if you have them—ask specifically about eating disorder–informed providers.
Reach out to specialized supports
- NEDIC (National Eating Disorder Information Centre) offers support and referral help (phone, chat, email).
- Wellness Together Canada for free, government-funded mental health support including eating disorder-related help.
- Body Peace Canada for free peer support and resources.
- Body Brave for free peer support and group therapy programs.
- National Initiative for Eating Disorders for support and resources.
If you’re in crisis or worried about immediate safety, call/text 988 (available across Canada, 24/7).

What Workplaces Can Do Better

Eating disorders thrive in secrecy and stigma. Workplaces can reduce harm by:

Treating eating disorders as a legitimate mental health issue in benefits and disability plans.
Ensuring coverage for evidence-based therapy and dietitian support (not just generic wellness apps).
Training leaders to avoid weight-stigmatizing language and to respond appropriately to mental health disclosures.
Building break schedules and staffing levels that make regular meals possible.
Avoiding workplace “biggest loser” challenges or public weigh-ins, and being cautious with “wellness” messaging that equates thinness with health.

Every workplace likely has someone struggling—quietly, invisibly, and often alone.

But recovery is possible, and we can all play a powerful role by replacing stigma with support, and diet culture with dignity.