Shelly Bar MD

10/10/2025

Why Health Is More Than a Number?

For decades, Body Mass Index (BMI) has been used as a universal marker of health — yet studies now state that it offers only a limited view of the body’s physiological state.

💡 In our latest blog, we explore the limitations of BMI and highlight a comprehensive, evidence-based framework for assessing health. This modern approach integrates metabolic, cardiovascular, behavioral, and psychological indicators to provide a more accurate and compassionate understanding of well-being.

A valuable read for anyone navigating eating disorder recovery, exploring body neutrality, or seeking a deeper understanding of how true health is defined beyond numbers.

📖 Read the full article: “From BMI to Whole-Person Care: A Shift in How We Define Health” — available now on our blog. Link below ↓

We’ve all heard it — “Check your BMI to see if you’re healthy.” For decades, that simple equation of weight and height has shaped how society — and even healthcare — defines what’s “normal.” But what if the very number we’ve been taught to trust doesn’t actually reflect our h...

10/03/2025

📖 Research shows that stress from both work and academics can play a powerful role in triggering or worsening eating disorder symptoms.

These findings remind us that eating disorders are not about food alone—they are often a response to stress, exhaustion, and feeling out of control.

However, healing doesn’t have to be faced alone. With compassion, steady support, and accessible treatment, recovery is possible. If you’re struggling, please remember: you are not defined by your eating disorder, and reaching out for help is a sign of strength.🤍🌿✨

And to those around them—family, friends, classmates, coworkers—look out for your loved ones. Sometimes, simply saying “I'm here to listen” can make all the difference. 💞



References:

Treasure, J., Duarte, T. A., & Schmidt, U. (2021). Experiences of eating disorders from the perspectives of patients: An integrative review of qualitative studies. Journal of Eating Disorders, 9(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-021-00507-4

Pike, K. M., Wilfley, D. E., Hilbert, A., Fairburn, C. G., Dohm, F. A., & Striegel-Moore, R. H. (2008). Struggling with the transition to adulthood: Stressful life events, psychopathology, and relapse in women with bulimia nervosa. Psychological Medicine, 38(4), 497–506. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291707001311

Juvanhol, L. L., Silva-Costa, A., Rotenberg, L., Griep, R. H., et al. (2022). Is work-family conflict a pathway between job strain components and binge eating? A cross-sectional analysis from the ELSA-Brasil study. Journal of Eating Disorders, 10(16). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-022-00540-x

Paranjothy, S. M. (2024). A meta-analysis of disordered eating and its association with transdiagnostic mechanisms. International Journal of Eating Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.24166

09/29/2025

🩺 Got tough cases?

You’re invited to our Free Monthly Consultation Hour for Clinicians with Dr. Shelly Bar! A dedicated space to expand your knowledge, share clinical challenges, and collaborate with peers.

📅 Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM (PT)
👩‍⚕️ Host: Dr. Shelly Bar

✅ Bring your cases and questions
✅ Connect with fellow clinicians
✅ Collaborate in a supportive community

📌 How to Join:
✉️ Email us at office@shellybarmd.com
📲 Or send us a direct message with your email address on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Example: “Join, office@shellybarmd.com”

⚠️ Please note: Any direct message on our social media sites without a reply, confirmation, or acknowledgement is not considered registered. If you do not receive a reply within 1–2 business days, we highly encourage you to contact us by email at office@shellybarmd.com.

ℹ️ For any inquiries or concerns about Zoom or technical issues with the link, please email us at office@shellybarmd.com.

We can’t wait to see you there! 🌟

09/24/2025

Illusion of Control

Eating disorders are often tied to a need for control, and laxatives can feel like a way to “undo” eating or take charge of one’s body.

But research shows serious risks:

⚠️ Gut Health Impact – Misuse depletes healthy gut bacteria, harming digestion and immunity.
⚠️ Serious Health Risks – Linked to low potassium, dehydration, kidney damage, and even higher dementia risk with long-term use.
⚠️ Mental Health Link – Strongly tied to depression, compulsive behaviors, and severe ED symptoms.

💡 Takeaway: Laxatives don’t actually eliminate calories — but they do harm your health. If you or someone you love struggles with this, seeking professional support is a strong and important step. 💛

References:

Igudesman et al. (2023). Psychosomatic Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000001247

Puckett et al. (2023). Journal of Eating Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00751-w

Feng et al. (2023). Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000201522

Zhang et al. (2024). BMC Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-023-03040-0

Kornstein et al. (2023). Int. Journal of Eating Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.24261

09/23/2025

L’Shana Tova! 🍎🍯

Wishing you a sweet, healthy, and meaningful New Year!

May this season bring joy, peace, and renewal to you and your loved ones. 👨‍👩‍👦✨

Here’s to new beginnings, fresh intentions, and many blessings in the year ahead. 💛

09/17/2025

Did you know eating disorders can weaken your bones, too? 🦴

How Eating Disorders Weaken Bones:

⚠️ Nutrient Deficiency – Less calcium, vitamin D, and protein → weaker bones.
⚠️ Hormone Disruption – Low estrogen leads to less bone production and more loss.
⚠️ High Stress Hormones – Cortisol rises → bone breakdown increases.
⚠️ Low Weight & Activity – Less load on bones → less strength.

‼️ When malnutrition lasts too long, bones don’t get the stimulation they need. This speeds up bone loss that can cause lasting damage.

Result: Lower bone density, higher risk of osteoporosis and fractures—especially if illness starts young or lasts long.

💡 Takeaway: Early treatment, proper nutrition, and restoring healthy weight & hormones can make a big difference in protecting your bones.

References:
Misra, M., Tuli, S., Singhal, V., Slattery, M., Gupta, N., Brigham, K. S., Rosenblum, J., Ebrahimi, S., Eddy, K. T., Miller, K. K., & others (2023). Bone Density, Geometry, Structure and Strength Estimates in Adolescent and Young Adult Women with Atypical Anorexia Nervosa versus Typical Anorexia Nervosa and Normal-Weight Healthy Controls. Nutrients, 15(18), 3946. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15183946 MDPI

Sella, A. C., Becker, K. R., Slattery, M., et al. (2023). Low bone mineral density is found in low-weight female youth with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder and associated with higher PYY levels. Journal of Eating Disorders, 11(106). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00822-y

09/16/2025

Catch it on Yahoo News! 📰

Watch Gibson's story and join the conversation on breaking the stigma and supporting mental health. 🌏

🎥 Watch his full interview here: www.yahoo.com/news/videos/whats-behind-spike-eating-disorders-132157303.html

09/12/2025

"Cross-cultural comparisons can distort expectations."

Your body isn’t meant to look like everyone else’s — and that’s okay.
Comparing yourself to someone can set unrealistic goals and create unnecessary pressure.

Instead of comparing:

🌸 Thank your body.
🌸 Focus on what your body can do, not just how it looks.
🌸 Engage with people who empower diverse body types.

Be kind to your body — it’s doing its best for you. 🌱

09/10/2025

🩺 Each expert plays a unique, vital role.

A dietitian repairs your nutrition foundation.
An eating disorder specialist rewires your thinking patterns.
The rest of your healthcare team keeps your whole system strong and prevents relapse.

Recovery takes a team approach.

You’re not “over-treated.”
You’re supported from every angle. 👩‍⚕️

09/06/2025

The shift from active lifestyles to increased screen time can also reshape how young men see themselves—fueling a rise in eating disorders.

Sharing insights on this growing concern in our latest interview.

🎥 Watch the full segment here:
🔗 https://www.today.com/video/what-s-behind-the-spike-in-eating-disorders-among-young-men-246536261960

09/03/2025

It’s time to talk about something important ‼️🎥

In a compelling segment on Today’s News, Gibson Peckingham courageously shares his journey with body image challenges. Together with our provider, Dr. Shelly Bar, sharing her expert insights on the rising rates of eating disorders among young men.

This dialogue is essential for fostering understanding and support. Have you or someone you know faced similar struggles? Let’s work together to break the stigma‼️

Watch TODAY's news episode today 💬👇

Link: https://www.today.com/video/what-s-behind-the-spike-in-eating-disorders-among-young-men-246536261960

Youth eating disorders have spiked since the pandemic, and many doctors believe social media is playing a dangerous role. Reporting for TODAY, NBC’s Liz Kreutz sits down with Gibson Peckingham to learn about his "ongoing struggle" with his body image as he works to tell others facing similar chall...

08/29/2025

Endless scrolling can quietly reshape how we see ourselves.

Research shows that social media’s beauty standards are linked to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating—especially among young women (Zarychta et al., 2022; Holland & Tiggemann, 2016).

Just 10 minutes of thin-ideal TikTok content can lower body satisfaction and increase pressure to look a certain way (Blackburn & Hogg, 2024).

Let’s promote realistic and diverse bodies.

Perfection is a myth. Be kind to your body.



References:

Holland, G., & Tiggemann, M. (2016).
A systematic review of the impact of the use of social networking sites on body image and disordered eating outcomes. Body Image, 17, 100–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.02.008

Zarychta, K., Luszczynska, A., & Scholz, U. (2022).
Media pressure and disordered eating: A serial mediation model. Nutrients, 14(11), 2227. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14112227

Blackburn, S., & Hogg, T. (2024). Immediate effects of TikTok thin-ideal content on body dissatisfaction and appearance ideal internalization in young women. Journal of Eating Disorders, 12(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-024-00715-3