Eating Disorders and Autism

Definition of Eating Disorders

The term “eating disorder” refers to various conditions related to eating behaviors that can cause challenges to physical or psychological health. Autistic individuals are statistically more likely to experience eating disorders compared to non-autistic individuals. However, certain autistic traits can lead to misdiagnoses of eating disorders, as these traits may simply reflect the unique characteristics of autism.

Sensory Experiences and Eating

Eating and drinking involve a wide range of sensory experiences. Every food item has its own smell, taste, temperature, texture, and more. Chewing and swallowing also produce sounds. The characteristics of food, such as its texture and flavor, can change during a meal, depending on factors like temperature and contact with saliva.

Autistic people, who are often hypersensitive, experience these sensations more intensely, which can make mealtimes particularly challenging.

They may feel easily overwhelmed during meals, especially when eating with others, as they need to manage polite eating behaviors and engage in conversation to appear friendly. This combination can feel like too much for the brain to handle. For some, it may seem easier to simply manage hunger instead.

When the sensory aspects of eating become too overwhelming, autistic individuals—particularly those assigned female at birth—may be mistakenly diagnosed with an eating disorder.

Connection with Autism

Certain autistic traits may increase the likelihood of developing eating disorders. For example, the need for strict routines or the tendency to adhere to rigid rules can become risk factors. While these qualities often help structure daily life, they can lead to eating disorders if the adopted rules are not health-supportive.