Eating disorders are a prevalent and serious public health issue. Yet, the media often emphasizes and conceptualizes eating disorders as an issue pertinent to only young, White, thin women. In reality, these deadly illnesses do not discriminate, and affect people of color, those living with food insecurity, and others at the intersections of marginalized groups. This misconceptions often lead to delayed diagnoses and increased stigmas.
With the goal of shedding light on this stigmatized topic and widening the public’s understanding of the intersection between eating disorders, body discrimination, and yoga in Western culture, I interviewed a prominent figure in this movement (whose name has been changed). I wrote this article and designed this cover spread to symbolize the convergence of racism, sexism, and sizeism in yoga and broader culture.