Members of the media have great power to shift the cultural conversation around body image, diet culture, and eating disorders. To learn how, explore the resources below.
Media Guidelines
How to talk about food, bodies, and
eating disorders
Members of the media and other content creators have
great power to shift the cultural conversation around body image, diet culture, and eating disorders.
To help you thoughtfully choose imagery and language that avoids harmful stereotypes and educates readers, we invite you to explore the resources below.
Common, Harmful Phrases in the Media — and What to Use Instead
Avoid
“Thunder thighs,” “muffin top,” “cankles,” “problem areas,” etc
Consider
Refer to body parts by their proper names and avoid pejorative labels.
“Bikini body,” “best body,” “beach body,” etc.
Prioritize language around how people want to feel (e.g. confident)
“Guilty pleasure,” “cheat day,” “junk food,” etc.
Food is neither "good" or "bad". Focus instead factors like taste and enjoyment.
How much do you know about eating disorders?
Explore our free educational resources
Learn more
Tips for Creating Content About Eating Disorders
Tips for Creating Content About Eating Disorders
1
Check your facts
- Rely on evidence-based research, statistics, and facts. Research shows that eating disorders are brain disorders, not a vanity choice .
Help Change the Conversation
We encourage you to share these guidelines with your colleagues and communities to show your commitment to helping change the conversation around food and bodies. Download the images here for easy social media sharing!
Tips for Creating Content About Eating Disorders
After eight weeks of treatment, Equip families are well on their way to healing
1
Check your facts
Rely on evidence-based research, statistics, and facts.
Research shows that eating disorders are brain disorders, not a vanity choice.
2
Avoid stereotypes
Eating disorders can affect anyone.
Avoid using language or images that
support the stereotype
that eating disorders only
affect thin, white, young women.
3
Do not focus on weight
A number does not reflect physical and/or
mental health.
Don't use weight as a measure of
the severity of an illness or as the sole
determinant of recovery.
Provide resources
Make it clear that while these diseases
are serious, full recovery is absolutely possible.
Include treatment information and resources such as Equip and Project HEAL.
4
Provide hope
& resources
Make it clear that while these diseases
are serious, full recovery is absolutely possible.
Include treatment
resources such as Equip and Project HEAL.
Creating content about eating disorders? Download our free guide here!
Diet culture, fatphobia, weight stigma, and thin idealization remain pervasive in our society, and media plays a critical role in shaping public perception of these topics.
Learn more about the impact members of the media like you can have below.
Diet culture, fatphobia, weight stigma, and thin idealization remain pervasive in our society, and media plays a critical role in shaping public perception of these topics.
Learn more about the impact members of the media like you can have below.
Learn More About Eating Disorders and the Media
Eating Disorders Explained
30 million Americans are affected by eating disorders
P.E.: The link between exercise and eating disorders
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