Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating

Eating Disorders

Psychological disturbances that lead to certain physiological changes and serious health complications.

Disordered Eating

Chaotic and abnormal food-related practices such as skipping meals, limiting food choices, or binge eating.

Anorexia Nervosa (AN)

A severe psychological disturbance characterized by self-imposed starvation, resulting in malnutrition and emaciation.

Bulimia Nervosa (BN)

A serious condition characterized by repeated episodes of binge eating followed by unhealthy compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

An eating disorder defined by recurrent episodes of binge eating without purging behaviors.

Risk Factors for Eating Disorders

Factors that increase the likelihood of developing eating disorders, including being female, having a history of dieting, and low self-esteem.

Night Eating Syndrome (NES)

A disorder marked by recurrent episodes of binge eating after evening meals or after awakening from sleep.

Diabulimia

A condition where individuals with type 1 diabetes manipulate their body weight by skipping or reducing insulin doses.

Orthorexia Nervosa (ON)

An unhealthy obsession with eating healthy foods, often leading to restrictive diets.

Muscle Dysmorphia

An unhealthy preoccupation with the body being too small or not muscular enough, occurring almost exclusively in men.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A psychological treatment that addresses unhealthy behavior by challenging current beliefs and replacing them with more realistic thoughts.

Female Athlete Triad

A condition in female athletes characterized by low energy availability, menstrual disturbances, and reduced bone mineral density.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

A form of psychotherapy that helps improve skills to manage stress, anxiety, or feelings of inadequacy.

Pro-anorexia ('pro-ana') communities

Online groups that glamorize and promote eating disorders, providing harmful weight-loss strategies.

Psychological and Personality Factors

Mood and anxiety disorders frequently accompany eating disorders, often resulting in a distorted view of body image.