​“You are not alone” is a phase I have used many times as a volunteer crisis counselor with the Crisis Text Line. This phrase rings especially true when I must use it with texters who struggle with body image or an eating disorder. While I have been in recovery for several years now, each time I get a texter who describes what they are going through, I feel as though I am reading my own diary. And it really is true; we are far from the only ones. The lifetime likelihood of developing an eating disorder for women is between 1.0% to 22.7% and though symptoms may vary in duration, severity, and type, they can impact all parts of a woman’s life. The American Psychiatric Association defines eating disorders as: “behavioral conditions characterized by severe and persistent disturbance in eating behaviors and associated distressing thoughts and emotions”. Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating disorder are the three most common, each having their own physical and nonphysical symptoms. Some symptoms of Anorexia are severely limiting food intake or a fear of gaining weight, Binge Eating Disorder symptoms includes consuming large amounts of food in a short period of time even after feeling and Bulimia symptoms includes inappropriate compensatory behaviors after an episode of binge eating. Eating disorders are linked to a decreased quality of life, with lower scores of overall, emotional, and psychological wellbeing compared to the general population. Comorbidity with other psychological conditions, such as depression and anxiety is common with eating disorders and can make the conditions worse. 

Current data show Asian Americans have the lowest prevalence of obesity among U.S. racial and ethnic groups. At a relatively low 12%, this number is less than half that of those who identify as White (29%) and Black (40%). However, health data for Asian Americans are misleading; among that Asian American demographic, there are multiple ethnic groups, some with higher prevalence of chronic disease and obesity. Viewing Asian Americans as one monolithic group masks disparities within subgroups that would benefit from more targeted intervention, highlighting the importance of disaggregating Asian American data, especially when making policies.

“Use this electrical core stimulator to achieve a 6 pack in only 2 weeks.” “Doctors hate this detox tea which allows you to lose weight without exercising.”
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These are just a few examples of the claims advertised on social media regarding fitness and nutrition. Social media has become a huge part of our lives with at least 80% of U.S. adults using some form of social media throughout their day, with increases during the  COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic at-home fitness equipment became even more popular with companies like Peloton experience a massive increase in sales and stock prices. Similarly, social media fitness content creators, colloquially known as “influencers” saw a huge rise in user engagement. With people stuck at home on their devices, the landscape was perfect for influencers to engage with a captive audience. 

Wei Perng, MPH, PhD

During a recent trip to Mexico City, I had the pleasure of sampling several traditional Mexican dishes: crickets on guacamole, pickled nopal on salad, and beef tacos de lengua (cow tongue tacos)! Yum, I’ll try anything at least twice. My Mexican colleagues laughed at my enthusiasm and asked, “What are some traditional American dishes?” Images of French fries (wait – those are from Belgium), hot dogs (hmm, sausages in bread are from Germany), and pizza (er, nope… Italy) flashed through my mind. Embarrassed, I said that I was not entirely sure, that I would find out, and pivoted to prattling on about traditional Taiwanese foods. For the remainder of my trip, I was plagued by a nagging question: I was born and raised in the U.S. – why can’t I think of any traditional American dishes? 

​Adverse health outcomes related to excessive sugar consumption have been established and seem ever-growing. From diabetes to obesity, tooth decay, and even adverse impacts on childhood cognition, overindulgence of refined sugars has been associated with chronic health issues common in the US. Sugar is omnipresent in the modern world and unrealistic to avoid completely, unless you are prepared to scrutinize ingredient lists for every item you choose to consume. For people looking to reduce sugar intake for health reasons, this may be burdensome and frustrating. Sugar substitutes offer a sweet promise: deliver a sweet taste without sugar or calories. Although they may seem like the solution, the reality is bittersweet.