Ahead of Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2026, a recovery center in Norman said healthier relationships with food and bodies are possible.
An estimated 30 million people struggle with an eating disorder in the United States, according to Living Hope Eating Disorder Treatment Center.
While eating disorders are common in teenagers and young people, the fastest population of growth is the baby boomer population, likely because there are more resources now available.
“Eating disorders are a coping skill and a lot of times eating disorders develop out of or in response to some sort of trauma,” said Living Hope’s Medical Director Dr. Meghan Scears.
Dr. Scears acknowledged that engaging in disordered eating behaviors can help alleviate anxiety in the short-term, but as malnutrition takes hold over time, “and your body is no longer able to make appropriate neurotransmitters; it makes it much worse.”
Shari Bolton, a mother who receives treatment at Living Hope in Norman, told News 9 that at her worst, she severely restricted food, was depressed, mentally foggy, and felt consumed by obsessive behaviors.
“We ended up losing our house, losing my career, losing– I almost lost my marriage,” Bolton explained.
Dr. Scears explained that some people even lose their lives.
“The things that kill patients with eating disorders are things to do with the heart; electrolyte imbalances and things like that that lead to arrythmias, as well as low blood sugars, and additionally, it’s usually suicide.”
With the proper support, however, Dr. Scears said death is preventable.
And beyond feeling better physically and mentally, Bolton said, “Your life could be so much better if you do find freedom in food and realizing that you can eat without terrible guilt.”
Living Hope Treatment Center said restricting entire categories of food for reasons that are not medical, constant calorie counting, overexercising and excessive weighing could mean it’s time to ask for help.
Dr. Scears also stressed the importance of supporting your loved ones with eating disorders, which means understanding that recovery is not linear and can sometimes take multiple tries, as it has in Bolton’s case.
Living Hope Eating Disorder Treatment Center said anyone in need of support can reach out here.
The organization said it is the only eating disorders treatment center in Oklahoma and Arkansas that is gender-inclusive and treats all ages.
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