To begin to understand eating disorders in the Latinx community, we must first understand what the terminology means. Although terms like “Hispanic” and “Latino” are sometimes used synonymously, they hold different meanings. The term “Hispanic” refers to people who have ancestry in a Spanish-speaking country, and “Latino” refers to people who are from or have an ancestry in a Latin American country.
The term “Latinx” has emerged as a gender-neutral term used to describe people who are of Latin American ancestry or Latin American culture.
Research suggests that rates of eating disorders in Latinx communities are similar to those reported in the general population of females in the U.S. Though the research on eating disorders in the Latinx community is sparse and incomplete, studies indicate that Latinx communities are less likely to report eating disorder symptoms, receive an eating disorder diagnosis, and receive referrals for continued evaluation of and care for eating disorder symptoms. Some of the most common barriers Latinx folks face in eating disorder care are individual and systemic racism, lack of knowledge and culturally appropriate treatments, language barriers, stigma, beliefs about seeking treatment, lack of health insurance, and lack of affordable and accessible treatment service. Fortunately, according to some sources, research into how eating disorders impact diverse populations is growing, and an emphasis on making culturally sensitive treatments for Latinx folks is a focal point of this.
For more information on eating disorder symptoms, eating disorder support, and treatment options for long-term recovery, contact be Collaborative Care today at (401) 262-0842.
This website uses cookies.