When We Break Bias, We Open the Door to Healing

By Dr. Eva Trujillo-ChiVacuan, WEDAD 2025 Co-Chair, CEO Comenzar de Nuevo, and President of
iaedp

I have been working in the field of eating disorders for almost three decades.
I´ve seen young children and older adults walk through our doors, families desperate for answers, often
misunderstood or dismissed by professionals.
I´ve seen patients who don´t look “sick enough” by society´s standards – but are quietly, painfully, and
sometimes fatally unwell.

That´s what bias does.
It distorts who we see.
It decides who we believe.
It influences who receives care – and who is left behind.

Across the world, healthcare systems still reinforce these biases, often without realizing it. Many require
patients to meet arbitrary BMI thresholds to access treatment. Others deny insurance coverage based
solely on weight, not on clinical urgency.

And even more concerning: there is a profound lack of training in eating disorders for general
practitioners, pediatricians, and even some mental health professionals. Too often, patients are
misdiagnosed, minimized, or told to “just eat” or “just lose weight” -based entirely on the shape or size of
their bodies.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, this crisis has deepened. We´ve seen an explosion of unregulated online
courses claiming to “train” professionals in eating disorders care care. In Latin America especially -where
access to rigorous academic programs is already limited -many of these courses lack scientific grounding,
meaningful supervision, or ethical standards. They create a false sense of expertise while spreading
misinformation and doing real harm.

We urgently need stronger regulation, oversight, and investment in high-quality, evidence-based training
across all levels of care. Lives depend on it.

This year´s World Eating Disorders Action Day theme is I carry close to my heart. “Breaking Bias and
Supporting Families: Unlearning What We Think We Know About Eating Disorders.”

Because what we “think we know” has harmed too many, for too long.

We’ve missed diagnoses because someone’s BMI wasn’t low enough.
We’ve silenced voices because they didn’t fit the stereotype.
We’ve told families they were the cause—when in truth, they are often the greatest source of strength and
healing.

When I think about this theme, I think of every person who was told they were “too big” to have anorexia.
Of every father who sat in my office, ashamed for not knowing how to help his child.
Of every mother who carried the weight of blame while fighting every day to keep her daughter alive.

Bias doesn’t just delay treatment.
It erodes hope.

But here’s what I’ve also seen:
Hope return to a young person’s eyes when they are finally believed.
Strength in the voice of a caregiver who once felt helpless.
Healing begin—not because the system was perfect, but because someone dared to question the narrative.

This is what we’re asking the world to do this June 2nd:
Pause.
Listen.
Unlearn.
And rise with us.

Let’s remind the world that eating disorders affect all bodies, all ages, all genders, all cultures.
Let’s build systems where families are welcomed, not pushed away.
Let’s teach health professionals to see beyond weight, and to lead with compassion, science, and humility.
We may not be able to erase all the bias in a single day.

But together, we can make June 2nd a turning point.
Let’s break the silence.
Let’s break the stigma.
Let’s break the bias—so that no one is left behind.

With heart,
Dra. Eva Trujillo-ChiVacuan