161. Is the "Hot Girls Have IBS" Trend Helpful or Harmful?

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re on tiktok you might have come across this trend of women struggling and openly speaking about their digestive issues under the hashtag “hot girls have IBS”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While this might seem innocuous and even a great way for individuals to speak openly about their pain, discomfort and the stigma associated with uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, constipation and diarrhoea, there’s also an insidious side that I want to discuss today which is the fact that eating disorders and disordered eating often go hand in hand with digestive concerns.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Namely, is this trend harmful in normalising disordered eating behaviours, such as cutting out or demonising food groups? Additionally, if someone is struggling with digestive issues, how do they navigate those symptoms and get the help they need without falling down a diet culture rabbit hole.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this episode I’m going to discuss:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">How common digestive disorders are in those struggling with eating disorders</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Why digestive concerns occur in those with eating disorders, disordered eating and/or HA</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">The bi-directional relationship between IBS symptoms/digestive disorders and disordered eating</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">The pros and cons “hot girls have IBS” trend in terms of management strategies</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Why cutting out food groups may not be the answer</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">What to do if you’re experiencing IBS or digestive disorders