Anorexia Nervosa: Divine Worth & Healing

At BYU–Hawaii, our ohana spans over 60 nations, bringing together a rich, beautiful tapestry of cultures from across Asia and the Pacific.

Navigating university life in a new country can bring unique pressures—from adjusting to unfamiliar foods and dealing with homesickness to managing cultural expectations regarding body image, success, and family honor. Sometimes, these pressures manifest as an obsessive relationship with food, exercise, and body image, known as Anorexia Nervosa.

What is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychological and physiological condition characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted perception of body shape or size, and a persistent restriction of energy intake leading to a significantly low body weight.

In many cultures, changes in weight or eating habits are mistakenly dismissed as "just stress," an issue of "willpower," or simple fasting. However, anorexia is a medical and mental health condition that requires compassionate care, professional support, and spiritual healing.

Common Signs & Symptoms

Physical

Rapid or significant weight loss, chronic fatigue, feeling constantly cold, dizziness, and weakened immunity.

Behavioral

Obsessive calorie counting, skipping meals under the guise of being "busy with studies," excessive or rigid exercise routines, and avoiding social gatherings that involve food.

Emotional

Extreme mood shifts, intense anxiety about eating in public, and basing your entire self-worth on physical appearance or weight.

Culturally Grounded Perspectives on Your Divine Value

When dealing with a loss of control around food, it is easy to fall into a cycle of self-blame, feeling that you are disappointing your family, your culture, or the Lord. It is vital to remember that your body is a sacred temple and your eternal worth is completely independent of your struggles or your physical form.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland offered powerful comfort regarding how we perceive ourselves and our challenges:

"I plead with you... to please be more accepting of yourselves, including your body shape and style, with a little less longing to look like someone else. We are all different."

True healing begins when we view our bodies and minds through a lens of divine love rather than cultural or societal judgment. In the For the Strength of Youth guide, the Lord reminds us of the sacred nature of our physical tabernacles:

"Your body is a divine gift from Heavenly Father... When you treat your body as a temple of God, you show love for Him." — For the Strength of Youth

Supporting a Friend or Roommate: Dos and Don'ts

Because food is deeply tied to community life at BYU–Hawaii, noticing when a peer is struggling requires immense sensitivity and kindness.

• DO speak with your peer privately and express your love. Focus on their emotional well-being rather than their weight or eating habits (e.g., "I've noticed you seem to be carrying a lot of stress lately, and I want you to know I'm here to support you").
• DO validate the heavy cultural transitions they are experiencing. Leaving home and adapting to a completely new culture can be incredibly lonely and isolating. Acknowledging how hard this transition is can build a bridge of trust.
• DON'T shame, lecture, or comment on their food choices, body size, or weight. Comments like "Why don't you just stop eating?" or casual remarks about weight changes can deepen feelings of isolation and shame.
• DON'T try to fix the problem yourself. Be a supportive companion who helps connect them to professional resources.

If you need help tailoring this resource further or want to discuss specific outreach strategies for our student community, please let us know how we can support you here at the Relationships office.