Beyond the Scale: How Eating Disorders Harm Your Body
When most people think about eating disorders, they often focus on weight loss or changes in appearance. But the truth is, the damage caused by eating disorders goes far deeper than what you can see on the outside. Behind the numbers on a scale, serious physical health issues can develop — some of which can last a lifetime. From your heart to your bones to your digestive system, eating disorders affect nearly every part of the body.
In this post, we’ll look beyond weight to understand the real impact eating disorders have on your physical health — and why getting help early matters more than you might think.
Your Heart And Circulatory System
One of the most dangerous effects of eating disorders happens inside your chest. Malnutrition and rapid weight loss can weaken your heart muscle, leading to slow heart rates, low blood pressure, and even heart failure in severe cases. Electrolyte imbalances — common in disorders involving purging — can trigger dangerous heart rhythms, which can be life-threatening if untreated.
Key Problems:
Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
Heart failure
Low blood pressure and fainting
Your Bones
Eating disorders, especially when they develop during the teenage years (a critical time for building bone strength), can seriously damage your bones. Low body weight and poor nutrition decrease the production of important hormones like estrogen, leading to bone loss. This puts teens at risk for developing osteoporosis — a condition usually seen in much older adults — making bones fragile and more likely to break.
Key Problems:
Weakened bones
Increased risk of fractures
Early onset osteoporosis
Your Digestive System
Not eating enough or purging regularly disrupts your digestive system’s normal functions. The stomach and intestines slow down, causing bloating, constipation, stomach pain, and even long-term damage. In severe cases, the body can struggle to properly absorb nutrients even after normal eating is resumed.
Key Problems:
Constipation
Bloating and abdominal pain
Slowed digestion (gastroparesis)
Your Skin, Hair And Nails
Your body prioritises protecting major organs when it's not getting enough nutrition — which means your skin, hair, and nails often suffer first. Brittle nails, dry or yellowing skin, and hair thinning or hair loss are common physical signs that the body isn't getting what it needs.
Key Problems:
Dry, flaky, or yellowish skin
Hair loss or thinning
Brittle nails
Your Hormones And Growth
For teens, eating disorders can interrupt normal growth and puberty. Hormonal changes caused by malnutrition can delay periods in girls or stop them altogether (a condition called amenorrhea). In boys, testosterone levels can drop. These disruptions can have long-term consequences for fertility and overall development.
Key Problems:
Delayed or stunted growth
Loss of menstrual cycle
Fertility problems later in life
Final Thought
Eating disorders are serious illnesses that affect so much more than how someone looks. They silently harm the body's most important systems, sometimes causing damage that lasts well into adulthood. But there's good news: with the right support and treatment, the body can heal. If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out for help is a powerful first step — and it’s never too early to start. Your health is about so much more than a number on a scale. It’s about giving your body the care and respect it deserves.
At Shout, we have around 80 conversations every day about eating disorders or body image. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, it's important to know that there is support available and you can get better.
