When most people hear the term “starvation,” they often associate it with extreme thinness or visible malnutrition. But starvation and deprivation aren’t limited to what the eye can see. The truth is, any body—regardless of size—can suffer serious, even fatal, consequences from disordered eating behaviors. Whether someone is restricting calories, avoiding essential nutrients, or cycling through periods of bingeing and purging, the physiological impact of starvation affects everyone, not just those in smaller bodies.
Starvation occurs when the body isn’t receiving the nutrients it needs to function. It’s not dependent on weight, size, or outward appearance. Even people in larger bodies, who may not "look" like they are malnourished, can experience the same physical consequences of starvation as someone who is visibly underweight. This is because starvation is defined by the lack of adequate nutrition, not by the shape or size of the body.
When someone restricts their intake—whether it’s food, specific nutrients, or enough calories to support their body’s needs—they’re depriving themselves of the vital energy required for basic bodily functions. Over time, this deprivation can lead to serious and life-threatening complications, regardless of whether the person is in a small, medium, or large body.
The effects of starvation and deprivation are wide-ranging and can impact nearly every organ system in the body. When the body doesn’t receive adequate nutrition, it shifts into survival mode, prioritizing only the most essential functions to preserve life. Here are some of the most dangerous consequences:
Weight stigma and fatphobia in our culture often result in people in larger bodies being overlooked or even praised for engaging in disordered eating behaviors. A person might be praised for weight loss, even if that weight loss is a result of extreme calorie restriction or unhealthy behaviors. But the impact of starvation on a person in a larger body is just as dangerous as it is for someone who is thin.
In fact, people in larger bodies who restrict their food intake may face additional risks. Since their disordered behaviors are often ignored or misdiagnosed as a pursuit of "health," they may go longer without intervention or support. This delay in treatment only worsens the potential for serious medical complications.
Additionally, those with atypical anorexia—a form of anorexia where someone may not meet the “underweight” criteria but still engages in extreme restriction—can experience the same life-threatening consequences as individuals with classic anorexia. Their bodies may appear larger or within “normal” weight ranges, but their organs are still starving.
Starvation and deprivation don’t just harm the body—they also take a significant toll on emotional and mental well-being. Disordered eating can lead to severe mood swings, anxiety, depression, and isolation. The constant focus on controlling food and weight can consume a person’s life, distancing them from relationships, hobbies, and personal goals. As starvation progresses, it often exacerbates these mental health challenges, creating a vicious cycle that’s difficult to break without professional support.
Healing from starvation and deprivation requires recognizing that disordered eating behaviors can affect anyone, regardless of how their body looks. At Inner Atlas Therapy, we emphasize that everyone’s experience with food and body deserves attention and care. We see the whole person—their physical, emotional, and mental health—not just their size or weight.
Addressing starvation and deprivation involves unlearning the harmful societal messages that equate thinness with health and ignoring the suffering of those in larger bodies. It means acknowledging that health is not determined by appearance, and that disordered eating is a dangerous mental health condition—no matter the person’s body size.
If you or someone you know is struggling with disordered eating or starvation, it’s essential to seek help from a compassionate and knowledgeable professional. Eating disorders are life-threatening conditions that deserve attention, care, and intervention, no matter what someone’s body looks like. Recovery is possible, and everyone deserves to nourish their body and soul in a way that honors their whole self.
At Inner Atlas Therapy, we work with individuals of all sizes to help them rebuild a healthy, nurturing relationship with food and their bodies. By focusing on healing from the inside out, we guide our clients to reclaim body trust, embrace their inherent worth, and nourish themselves in ways that support their overall well-being. Everyone, regardless of size, deserves a life free from the chains of starvation and deprivation.
.webp)
