3 Min Read
Eating disorders are characterised by unhealthy or harmful eating behaviours. These could mean eating too much, too little, or eating things that aren't edible. The exact cause is often unclear, but it's usually a mix of social, biological, and psychological factors.
Most people think of anorexia or bulimia when they hear "eating disorders," but there are several other types, too.
Synopsis
What Is an Eating Disorder?
An eating disorder is a mental health condition characterised by unhealthy behaviours or obsessions related to eating, body weight, or body shape, often driven by a distorted body image. Anyone can get an eating disorder, whatever your cultural background, sex or age. If you have an eating disorder, you may have any of the following:
-
Concern about your appearance, food and gaining weight.
-
Extreme dissatisfaction with your body - you would like to lose weight even though friends or family think that you are underweight.
-
A fear of gaining weight.
-
You let people around you think you have eaten when you haven't.
-
You are secretive about your eating habits because you know they are unhealthy.
-
Eating makes you feel anxious, upset or guilty.
-
You feel you are not in control of food.
-
You keep checking your body - for example, weighing yourself or pinching your waist.
-
Making yourself vomit or using laxatives to lose weight.
What Are the Symptoms of Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders can affect anyone, and they don't always show up in someone's weight or size. The symptoms can vary, but here are some general signs to watch for: It can be hard to spot an eating disorder because people often hide it. Here are some behaviours to watch for:
-
Dieting: Counting calories, fasting, skipping meals, or avoiding certain foods.
-
Binge Eating: Hoarding or disappearing food.
-
Purging: Frequent bathroom trips during or after meals.
-
Excessive Exercise: Exercising even when sick or in bad weather.
-
Eating in Private: Avoiding meals with others.
-
Body Image Sensitivity: Being very upset by comments about your body or weight.
-
Change in Clothing: Wearing baggy clothes.
Physical signs may include:
-
Weight Changes: Rapid weight loss or fluctuations.
-
Menstrual Issues: Missing or irregular periods.
-
Dizziness: Feeling light-headed.
-
Fatigue: Constant tiredness or poor sleep.
-
Feeling Cold: Even in warm weather.
Emotional signs can be:
-
Obsession with weight, body appearance, or food.
-
Anxiety around meal times.
-
Feeling out of control with food.
-
Distorted body image.
-
Using food for comfort or punishment.
Who Is at Risk for Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or ethnicity. Common risk factors include:
-
Family history of eating disorders, addiction, or mental health issues like depression
-
Personal history of anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
-
A history of trauma (physical, emotional, or sexual)
-
A past of dieting
-
Having diabetes, especially Type 1
-
Participation in activities that emphasise a slim body, like modelling, gymnastics, or wrestling
-
Experiencing major life changes
Discussed here are some eating disorders that affect a person’s feelings about food and its relationship to their body weight. These include:
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa involves extreme weight loss from not eating enough. People with anorexia are often obsessed with losing weight and may have a body mass index (BMI) below 18.5. They might eat very little, exercise too much, or sometimes binge and purge (vomit or use laxatives). Symptoms include:
-
No menstrual periods
-
Dizziness from dehydration
-
Brittle hair and nails
-
Cold intolerance
-
Weak muscles and bones
-
Heartburn, constipation, and bloating
-
Depression and anxiety
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa involves binge eating a lot of food quickly, often in secret, followed by behaviours to avoid weight gain, like vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise. Symptoms include:
-
Frequent bathroom trips after eating
-
Disappearing food or empty wrappers
-
Sore throat and swollen cheeks
-
Dental problems from stomach acid
-
Misuse of laxatives or diuretics
Binge Eating Disorder
People with binge eating disorder eat lots of food quickly, feeling out of control, but don’t use purging behaviours like vomiting. Symptoms include:
-
Eating rapidly
-
Eating until uncomfortably full
-
Eating large amounts when not hungry
-
Eating alone due to embarrassment
-
Feeling disgusted or guilty after eating
Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder
This category includes eating disorders that don't fit other specific types but still cause significant distress or dysfunction. For example, atypical anorexia nervosa involves severe weight loss, but the person isn’t classified as underweight.
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
ARFID involves avoiding food due to sensory issues, fear of negative effects, or lack of interest. It can lead to:
-
Significant weight loss or failure to gain weight
-
Nutritional deficiencies
-
Dependence on feeding tubes or supplements
-
Social issues around eating
Pica
Pica is eating non-food items like paper or metal. It usually starts in childhood but can continue into adulthood. Symptoms include:
-
Eating things that aren’t food
-
Risk of intestinal blockages or poisoning
Rumination Disorder
Rumination disorder is when a person repeatedly brings food back up from their stomach into their mouth, chews it again, and then swallows it or spits it out. It can happen in infants, children, teens, or adults.
To be diagnosed with rumination disorder:
-
The behaviour must happen repeatedly over at least a month.
-
A medical issue or other eating disorders must not cause it.
-
It should be severe enough to need separate clinical attention if it occurs with other mental disorders, like intellectual disability.
Night Eating Disorder
Night Eating Syndrome (NES) is often associated with disrupted sleep or insomnia and is characterised by a delayed eating schedule. To be diagnosed with this disorder:
-
The behaviour must persist for an extended period, typically over at least a few months.
-
Another medical condition or an existing eating disorder should not cause it.
-
It should be significant enough to require separate clinical attention.
How Are Eating Disorders Diagnosed?
It’s important to get help early to prevent the disorder from getting worse and to improve recovery. Start by seeing your health care expert or dietician expert, who can refer you to the right specialists. These experts diagnose eating disorders using several methods:
-
Physical Examinations: Your health care expert will check your height, weight, and vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure. They might also order blood and urine tests to see how your body is doing.
-
Psychological Evaluations: Your healthcare expert will ask about your eating habits, body image, and feelings. You might fill out a questionnaire or do a self-assessment.
Treatments for Eating Disorders
There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for eating disorders. Treatment usually involves a team of professionals, such as psychologists, dietitians, social workers, and doctors. Options may include:
-
Psychotherapy: This involves talking therapies to help you change your thinking and improve your coping skills. Common therapies include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which helps change your thoughts and behaviours related to eating, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), which helps manage emotions and self-acceptance.
-
Family Approach: It is used for younger individuals. It involves treating the individual while also helping and educating their family to improve family relationships and support the person with the eating disorder.
-
Nutrition Education: A dietitian helps you learn healthy eating habits and behaviours to get back to a healthy weight and ensure you get the right nutrients.
-
Medicines: There’s no specific medicine for eating disorders, but medications may be used to treat related issues like depression or anxiety. These should be combined with other treatments.
Conclusion
Eating disorders can seriously harm your mental and physical health. If you think you may have this problem, seek help immediately. Millions of people face this issue, and with the right treatment, recovery is possible. Don’t wait—talk to a nutrition and dietician expert today to protect your health.
FAQ's
Eating disorders can lead to serious health problems if left untreated, including:
-
Heart issues like arrhythmia or heart failure
-
Acid reflux (GERD) and digestive problems
-
Low blood pressure
-
Organ failure and brain damage
-
Bone loss (osteoporosis) and tooth damage
-
Severe dehydration and constipation
-
Loss of menstrual periods and infertility
-
Increased risk of stroke
Yes, eating disorders can affect anyone, including men and boys. While they are often associated with women, men and boys also experience eating disorders and may be less likely to seek help due to stigma or misconceptions.
No, eating disorders are not just about food. They often involve underlying psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or a need for control. The disordered eating behaviours are typical symptoms of deeper emotional struggles.
Share this article on:
