Summary In this episode of the Men Unscripted podcast, host Aaron Flores talks to Giddy, a trans man in a larger body, about his experiences with body image and eating disorders. Giddy shares his journey growing up in a small rural town, dealing with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and the impact of fatphobia and societal expectations on his self-esteem. They discuss the intersection of anorexia and ARFID, the lack of understanding and support for atypical anorexia, and the importance of body acceptance and self-advocacy. Giddy also highlights the role of social media in finding representation and building a community of support. In this conversation, Giddy and Aaron discuss the intersection of body image, gender identity, and eating disorders. Giddy shares their experience as a trans man and how it has influenced their body image journey. They also discuss the importance of support from the queer and trans community and the role of advocacy in medical settings. Giddy emphasizes the value of taking pictures to connect with their body and document their experiences. They also mention resources like health at every size and fact-checking pages on Tumblr. Keywords body image, eating disorders, trans man, larger body, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, ARFID, fatphobia, anorexia, atypical anorexia, body acceptance, gender identity, advocacy, queer community, taking pictures, health at every size, fact-checking Takeaways Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is often misunderstood and mislabeled as picky eating, but it is a distinct eating disorder that goes beyond food preferences. The intersection of anorexia and ARFID can complicate the experience of both disorders, and individuals may not fit the DSM criteria for a specific diagnosis. Fatphobia and societal expectations can have a profound impact on body image and self-esteem, leading to disordered eating behaviors and a cycle of extreme restriction and brief periods of eating. Finding representation and support through social media can be empowering for individuals with marginalized identities and experiences, helping them challenge societal norms and embrace body acceptance. Building a community of support, whether through work friends, therapy, or hobbies like playing D&D, can provide a safe space to share experiences and receive validation and understanding. The diet industry perpetuates harmful messaging about body size and shape, which can negatively impact body image and contribute to eating disorders. Gender identity can influence body image, and being trans can present unique challenges and opportunities for self-acceptance. Support from the queer and trans community is crucial in navigating body image issues and eating disorders. Taking pictures can help connect with and appreciate one's body, challenging negative body image perceptions. Resources like health at every size and fact-checking pages on social media can provide valuable information and challenge fatphobic narratives. Links This is Thin Privilege - Tumblr Fatphobia Busters - Tumblr Follow Aaron Flores on IG: @AaronFloresRDN Body Image Coaching for Men Learn more about Within Health
