Jante Wortel, a 29-year-old writer from Arnhem, Netherlands, has spoken publicly about her years-long struggle with an eating disorder, cautioning that conventional clinical interventions can sometimes be detrimental. Wortel’s experiences, detailed in recent interviews and her writing, highlight a growing conversation surrounding the treatment of eating disorders and the potential for unintended consequences.
Wortel, along with co-author Corinne Heyrman, recently published the non-fiction book, Het ongemak van een lichaam (The Discomfort of a Body), which explores the complexities of living with an eating disorder. The book is based on their personal experiences and examines the cultural factors that contribute to obsessive relationships with food and body image. A discussion based on the book was held at De Balie in Amsterdam on February 2nd, 2026, focusing on the increasing prevalence of eating disorders, particularly among young people.
The number of individuals grappling with eating disorders is on the rise in the Netherlands, with a near fourfold increase in anorexia cases among girls aged ten to fourteen, according to information presented at the De Balie event. Wortel’s own journey, as reported by De Gelderlander, involved a lengthy battle with an eating disorder, and she now emphasizes the importance of careful consideration before pursuing intensive clinical treatment. She suggests that, for some individuals, entering a clinical setting can inadvertently worsen their condition.
Wortel’s debut novel, Weerlicht (Lightning), published in 2022, also addressed themes of family dynamics and the impact of eating disorders. The novel was nominated for both the De Bronzen Uil and the Hebban Debuutprijs awards. In an interview with De Groene Amsterdammer, Wortel described her character Lea as being partially based on herself, sharing traits of shyness, a tendency towards self-criticism, and a desire for control.
Beyond her writing, Wortel has a background in music, having played the violin since childhood, though she notes it has been dormant for a decade. She also describes a penchant for order and organization. She has stated that finding fulfillment and recognition in her work is paramount, and that the prospect of her writing being disregarded or failing to resonate with others was a source of significant anxiety during the writing process.
Corinne Heyrman, Wortel’s co-author, is a writer, theater and podcast maker, and one of the two Stadsschrijvers (City Writers) of Eindhoven. She also works as a writing and performance instructor at ArtEZ University of the Arts, as well as in prisons and care centers.
