NPR

When It Comes To Race, Eating Disorders Don't Discriminate

People with eating disorders are too often portrayed as white, skinny young women. One group is trying to spread the word that eating disorders affect people of every race, gender and body size.
Source: Sara Ariel Wong for NPR

Karla Mosley wants you to know that people with eating disorders look like her too.

"I'm a woman of color and I certainly didn't know that people like me had eating disorders," she says. "I thought it was a white, rich, female, adolescent disorder."

Only one of those identifiers fits Mosley who's black and binged and purged for years. But Mosley, an actor and a regular on the day time soap, The Bold and the Beautiful, is sharing her story of battling bulimia and getting her health back.

She's part of a growing movement of people of color working to raise awareness in their own communities, and among researchers in the field, about how these disorders affect people of all backgrounds — and body types.

Mosley says she struggled for

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR2 min read
Candace Parker, 3-time WNBA And 2-time Olympic Champion, Says 'It's Time' To Retire
After 16 seasons, two Olympic gold medals and three WNBA championships, Candace Parker announced her retirement from professional basketball on Sunday.
NPR4 min read
So Your Property Has Been 'Banksy-ed.' Now What?
While some property owners try to turn a profit from the street artist's murals, others have carried the intense and costly responsibility of protecting them.
NPR3 min read
How Much Should I Spend On A Wedding Present? Life Kit's Tips Of The Month
Our April roundup of expert advice includes a nifty negotiation tactic, guidance on how to prevent digital eye strain and why you should travel during 'shoulder season.'

Related Books & Audiobooks