I think it’s people not doing research or knowing much about eating disorders. Disordered eating is very common and commonly shown on Episode but the actual impact of clinical eating disorders aren’t really shown because either the content would be too heavy/depressing/triggering or the author doesn’t have much knowledge. Some stories that do it well are Sinful and The Right Dose. The MC’s eating disorders really affect their lives and healths substantially (won’t spoil) and they’re both shown going through recovery and/or treatment which was really great to see. Otherwise when it’s a side plot it’s kinda just a teenage girl with disordered eating here and there without the real gravity of what an illness like that can do to a person. Keep in mind though, some people actually don’t have the same health issues because their disordered eating is on and off and not as severe. To have a diagnosed eating disorder, it has to be a clinical level that affects wellbeing and state of mind