#EatingDisorders

A growing trend among teenagers to pursue what they see as natural, “crunchy” wellness is raising new concerns among health professionals, who warn that teens embracing extreme eating habits in the name of health may be putting themselves at real risk. The so-called “crunchy teen” movement, which promotes natural foods, holistic remedies, and sometimes outright rejection of conventional medicine, is spreading rapidly on social media platforms and affecting adolescent behaviors worldwide, including here in Thailand.

A growing number of individuals worldwide are seeking ways to increase their protein intake for health or fitness reasons, while simultaneously managing or recovering from eating disorders—a deeply personal struggle that is now gaining attention in research and support communities. The challenges highlighted in a recent feature by Autostraddle, titled ‘I Want To Eat More Protein Without Triggering My ED’, reflect broader issues relevant to Thai readers and health seekers who navigate the balance between nutritional goals and mental well-being.

A new wave of concern is sweeping through families and health professionals as muscle dysmorphia—commonly called “bigorexia”—gains traction among children and teenagers worldwide. Recent research and high-profile warnings from mental health experts signal that this body image disorder, often overlooked and misunderstood, is swiftly becoming a public health issue, including for Thai families who may traditionally associate eating disorders more with thinness than muscularity. The phenomenon forces a reconsideration of how we talk to children about bodies, exercise, and the subtle pressures lurking online.