R1 In-Person: Eating Disorders

You Don’t Look Anorexic: Eating Disorders Hiding in Plain Sight
One In-Person Session
Thur., Apr. 10, 2025, 6:30-8 pm MT
FREE

Eating disorders are emerging as one of the nation’s leading mental health issues. With mortality rates second only to opioid addiction among psychiatric illnesses, eating disorders present as serious, life-threatening illnesses. Though people of all ages, genders and races struggle with eating disorders, societal stereotypes of eating disorders as a “thin white girl problem” mask the seriousness and widespread nature of these illnesses. In this presentation, Dr. Erin Harrop debunks societal stereotypes about eating disorders and shares how eating disorders hide in plain sight—sometimes in the people and loved ones we would least suspect. Using narrative, arts-based research, Dr. Harrop shares findings from their recent research on atypical anorexia that highlights how eating disorders occur in older and younger groups alike, across the gender spectrum, and in thin and larger bodies. Using stories and real art created by eating disorder patients, Harrop highlights how weight stigma and racial bias within our healthcare system can unintentionally trigger, disguise and exacerbate these dangerous illnesses. This presentation ends with an update on Harrop’s legislative work in Colorado, showing how mental health and eating disorder advocacy organizations are making a real difference in the lives of patients with eating disorders, and showcasing how Colorado is emerging as a national leader in eating disorder-related legislation.

Erin N. Harrop, LICSW, PhD is an assistant professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work and licensed medical social worker. Their research centers on the intersection of weight stigma, eating disorders and healthcare experiences. They utilize this research to support legislative efforts in Colorado aimed at increasing healthcare equity for patients of all sizes.