Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED) in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) is a serious and often misunderstood eating disorder that affects many people in Grand Rapids and across West Michigan. OSFED was previously known as Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS).

OSFED is not a lifestyle choice. It is a complex mental health condition that can have serious physical and emotional consequences if left untreated. It affects people of all ages, genders, body sizes, and backgrounds—including children, teens, college students, working adults, and older adults throughout the Grand Rapids metro area.

What Is OSFED?

OSFED is diagnosed when a person has significant eating disorder symptoms that cause distress and health problems, but do not meet every criterion for other specific eating disorders such as:

  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Bulimia nervosa
  • Binge eating disorder

People with OSFED may:

  • Have serious disordered eating patterns
  • Be highly distressed about their body weight or shape
  • Experience many of the same complications as other eating disorders

OSFED is one of the most commonly diagnosed eating disorders, including in clinical settings in Grand Rapids such as Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health.

OSFED and Grand Rapids: Local Context

In Grand Rapids and the wider Kent County area, several factors can influence eating disorders like OSFED:

  • Long, cold winters can increase isolation, seasonal depression (SAD), and emotional eating or restriction
  • Body image pressures may be heightened during summer months around Lake Michigan and local beaches
  • College and young adult populations (e.g., Grand Valley State University, Calvin University, Aquinas College, GRCC) may experience high stress and social pressure related to food and body image
  • Healthcare access is relatively strong, with major hospital systems and the Kent County Health Department offering resources and referrals for mental health and nutrition care

If you live in Grand Rapids and are concerned about your eating or body image, early support and treatment can greatly improve your chances of recovery.

How OSFED Is Diagnosed

A diagnosis of OSFED is made by a qualified healthcare professional, usually starting with a primary care provider (PCP) or family doctor.

In Grand Rapids, you can start by seeing:

  • Your primary care provider at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • A community health clinic or Grand Rapids Public Health program
  • A university health center if you are a student

What Your Doctor Will Do

To diagnose OSFED, a doctor will typically:

  • Take a detailed medical and mental health history
  • Ask questions about your eating patterns, exercise, and body image
  • Perform a physical examination
  • Order blood tests and possibly other investigations (e.g., ECG, bone density) to rule out other medical conditions

Your doctor will also make sure that any changes in body weight or physical symptoms are not caused by another undiagnosed health condition (such as thyroid disease, gastrointestinal illness, or hormonal disorders).

Types of OSFED

OSFED includes several specific presentations where most, but not all, criteria for another eating disorder are met.

Atypical Anorexia Nervosa

  • All criteria for anorexia nervosa are met, except:
    • Despite significant weight loss, the person’s weight remains within or above the normal range
  • People with atypical anorexia can still experience serious medical complications, similar to those with anorexia nervosa, including heart problems, hormonal changes, and bone loss.

Bulimia Nervosa of Low Frequency and/or Limited Duration

  • All criteria for bulimia nervosa are met, except:
    • Binge eating and compensatory behaviors (such as vomiting or laxatives) occur less than once a week and/or
    • Symptoms have been present for less than 3 months

Binge Eating Disorder of Low Frequency and/or Limited Duration

  • All criteria for binge eating disorder are met, except:
    • Binge eating episodes occur less than once a week and/or
    • Symptoms have been present for less than 3 months

Purging Disorder

  • Recurrent purging behaviors (such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications)
  • No regular binge eating is present

Night Eating Syndrome

  • Recurrent episodes of night eating, shown by:
    • Eating after awakening from sleep, and/or
    • Excessive food intake after the evening meal
  • The person is aware of and remembers the eating episodes
  • The eating causes significant distress or impairment in daily life

Symptoms of OSFED

People with OSFED may have symptoms similar to anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder, but not enough to meet the full criteria for those conditions. Symptoms may be physical, psychological, and behavioral.

Physical Symptoms of OSFED

  • Fluctuating body weight, or significant weight loss or gain
  • Missed or irregular periods in women and people who menstruate
  • Reduced sex drive (libido)
  • Getting sick more often than usual (possible sign of a stressed immune system)
  • Fainting, dizziness, or feeling lightheaded
  • Signs of damage from frequent vomiting, such as:
    • Swelling around the cheeks or jaw
    • Damaged or sensitive teeth
    • Bad breath
  • Gastrointestinal issues, including constipation, diarrhea, or stomach pain

Psychological Symptoms of OSFED

  • Preoccupation with eating, dieting, exercise, or body image
  • High sensitivity to comments about food, weight, or appearance
  • Feelings of shame, guilt, or disgust, especially after eating
  • Increased anxiety or irritability around mealtimes
  • Distorted body image or dissatisfaction with body size, shape, or specific body parts
  • Low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety
  • Thoughts of self-harm or suicidality (this is an emergency and requires immediate help)

Behavioral Symptoms of OSFED

  • Saying they have eaten when they have not
  • Becoming socially withdrawn or avoiding activities once enjoyed
  • Eating alone or in secret, avoiding others at mealtimes
  • Hiding or hoarding food
  • Self-induced vomiting
  • Chewing and spitting out food
  • Frequent trips to the bathroom during or after meals
  • Compulsive exercise, even when unwell or injured
  • Use of laxatives, enemas, diuretics, or appetite suppressants
  • Dieting behaviors, such as:
    • Strict calorie or kilojoule counting
    • Suddenly reporting new food allergies or intolerances without medical evaluation
    • Avoiding entire food groups (e.g., all carbs, all fats)
  • Obsessive rituals around food, such as:
    • Cutting food into very small pieces
    • Eating extremely slowly
  • Body-image-related behaviors, such as:
    • Constantly checking in the mirror
    • Pinching parts of the body to “measure” fat

Long-Term Effects of Untreated OSFED

Without treatment, OSFED can lead to serious and sometimes life-threatening complications, including:

  • Gastrointestinal problems, including damage to the esophagus and stomach
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Kidney damage
  • Weakened bones (osteoporosis)
  • Slowed growth in children and adolescents
  • Infertility in men and women
  • Heart conditions, including irregular heart rate and low blood pressure

Like other eating disorders, early recognition and treatment in Grand Rapids can greatly reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Treatment for OSFED in Grand Rapids, MI

Recovery from OSFED is possible, even if you have been struggling for many years. Treatment is most effective when started as early as possible and when it addresses both physical and psychological health.

Treatment Approach

Treatment is usually based on the eating disorder that most closely matches your symptoms (for example, anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder).

Evidence-based therapies include:

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy – Enhanced (CBT‑E)
    • Focuses on thoughts, emotions, and behaviors around food and body image
  • Family-Based Treatment (FBT)
    • Often used for children and adolescents, involving parents or caregivers in treatment

Other treatment options may include:

  • Medications for co-occurring mental health conditions (e.g., antidepressants for depression or anxiety)
  • Nutritional supplements to address deficiencies or physical complications

Your Treatment Team

In Grand Rapids, treatment often involves a multidisciplinary team. After diagnosis, your doctor may help you connect with:

  • Psychiatrist – for diagnosis, medication, and management of mental health conditions
  • Psychologist or licensed therapist – for counseling and evidence-based therapies
  • Registered dietitian (RD) – for individualized meal planning and nutrition support
  • Family therapist – to support families and caregivers
  • Social worker or case manager – to help with resources, school/work issues, and care coordination

Major health systems in Grand Rapids (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health) and community organizations can help you find professionals with experience in eating disorders.

OSFED and Seasonal Health in Michigan

Living in West Michigan can impact mental health and eating patterns:

  • Winter months with limited sunlight can worsen depression, anxiety, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), potentially intensifying disordered eating
  • Holiday seasons (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year) can bring stress, family conflict, and food-focused events
  • Summer and beach season around Lake Michigan may increase body image pressures

If you notice your eating disorder symptoms worsen during certain seasons, mention this to your treatment team so they can help you plan extra support during those times.

Support Groups and Community Resources in Grand Rapids

Support groups can be a valuable addition to professional treatment. They can help reduce isolation and provide understanding from others with similar experiences.

Possible local and regional resources include:

  • Kent County Health Department – information and referrals for mental health and nutrition services
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community health centers – may offer counseling or connect you to local providers
  • Hospital-based programs at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health – some may offer outpatient or intensive outpatient eating disorder services
  • University counseling centers – for students at GVSU, Calvin, Aquinas, GRCC, and other local schools

Always ensure any support group or program you attend is evidence-informed and does not promote dieting, weight loss challenges, or unregulated “detox” programs.

When to Seek Help

You should seek help as soon as you notice:

  • Persistent worry about food, weight, or body shape
  • Avoidance of social situations involving food
  • Sudden or unexplained weight changes
  • Frequent dieting, purging, or extreme exercise
  • Feelings of shame or guilt after eating

Emergency Situations – Call 911

Call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency department in Grand Rapids (for example, at Spectrum Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids) if you or someone else:

  • Has chest pain, difficulty breathing, or an irregular heartbeat
  • Faints or is difficult to wake
  • Has signs of severe dehydration (no urination, confusion, very dry mouth)
  • Expresses thoughts of self-harm or suicide and has a plan or intent

Getting Help for OSFED in Grand Rapids

If you are concerned you might have OSFED or another eating disorder:

  1. Contact your primary care provider (PCP) or GP
    • Ask specifically for an appointment to discuss eating concerns or possible eating disorder.
  2. Ask for referrals to:
    • A psychologist or therapist experienced in eating disorders
    • A psychiatrist if needed
    • A registered dietitian with eating disorder experience
  3. Reach out to local mental health services
    • Community mental health centers in Grand Rapids
    • University counseling centers if you are a student

If you are not sure where to start, the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health can help direct you to local providers and services.

Key Points About OSFED in Grand Rapids

  • OSFED is a serious and common eating disorder, not a lifestyle choice.
  • People with OSFED have symptoms similar to anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder, but do not meet full criteria for those diagnoses.
  • OSFED affects people of all ages, genders, and body sizes in Grand Rapids and throughout West Michigan.
  • There is awareness and recall of eating in conditions such as night eating syndrome, and the eating causes significant distress.
  • A full medical evaluation is essential to rule out other health conditions and assess the impact of disordered eating.
  • Early treatment with a multidisciplinary team (doctor, therapist, dietitian, psychiatrist) offers the best chance of full recovery.

If you live in Grand Rapids, MI and recognize these symptoms in yourself or someone you care about, reaching out for help is a strong and important first step toward recovery.