Beyond Diets: Understanding the Link Between Eating Disorders, Mental Health, and Obesity

At the May 2025 Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians (WANP) conference, Dr. Christine James, ND, will share an eye-opening presentation on a topic that affects millions but is often misunderstood: the connection between eating disorders, mental health, and obesity. Drawing from over a decade of experience working with patients on their weight and wellness journeys, Dr. James explains how patterns like emotional eating and disordered eating can often be signs of deeper struggles—like anxiety, depression, or even diagnosed conditions such as Binge Eating Disorder or Night Eating Syndrome. She reveals how common these issues are, how they’re linked to diet and lifestyle, and why many people don’t get the help they need. What makes this talk especially powerful is Dr. James’s focus on compassion and understanding. She emphasizes that eating disorders aren’t just about food—they’re often rooted in emotional pain, stress, or trauma. Traditional diet plans and willpower alone aren’t enough. Instead, lasting change comes from addressing the why behind eating habits and treating the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. With tools like therapy, nutritional support, medications, and personalized care plans, healing is possible. Her message to patients: “You deserve to be truly seen, understood, and supported on your journey to health.” If you or someone you love is struggling with weight, emotional eating, or feeling stuck in the cycle of diets that don’t work, we invite you to schedule a visit with one of our expertly trained providers at Sound Medical Weight Loss. Our team is here to support you with compassionate, evidence-based care designed to uncover the root causes and help you feel better—physically and emotionally.