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nutrition is about having a balanced, healthy diet that consists of foods with plenty of energy and nutrients

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Any of a range of psychological disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits (such as anorexia nervosa).

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What's An Eating Disorder?

Formally classified as "feeding and eating disorders" in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the term "eating disorders" represents a group of complex mental health conditions that can seriously impair health and social functioning.

Because of the physical nature of their defining symptoms, eating disorders can cause both emotional distress and significant medical complications. They also have the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder.

Types of Eating Disorders

There are many types of feeding and eating disorders, and they all come with their own defining characteristics and diagnostic criteria. The eating disorders formally recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) include the following.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Binge eating disorder, the most recently recognized eating disorder, is the most common. It is characterized by repeated episodes of binge eating-defined as the consumption of a large amount of food accompanied by a feeling of loss of control. It is found in higher rates among people of larger body sizes. Weight stigma is commonly a confounding element in the development and treatment of BED.

Bulimia Nervosa (BN)

Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, or those designed to make up for the calories consumed. These behaviors may include vomiting, fasting, excessive exercise, and laxative use.

Anorexia Nervosa (AN)

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by the restricted intake of food, leading to a lower than expected body weight, fear of weight gain, and disturbance in body image. Many people are unaware that anorexia nervosa can also be diagnosed in individuals with larger bodies. Although anorexia is the eating disorder that receives the most attention, it is actually the least common.

Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED)

Other specified feeding and eating disorder is a catchall category that includes a wide range of eating problems that cause significant distress and impairment but do not meet the specific criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder. OSFED and unspecified feeding or eating disorder (UFED) replaced the eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) category in previous versions of the DSM.

People diagnosed with OSFED often feel invalidated and unworthy of help, which is not true. OSFED can also be as severe as other eating disorders and include subclinical eating disorders.

Research shows that many people with subclinical eating disorders will develop full eating disorders. Subclinical eating disorders can also describe a phase that many people in recovery pass through on their way to full recovery.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Previously called selective eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder that involves a restricted food intake in the absence of the body image disturbance commonly seen in anorexia nervosa. It is manifested by persistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional and/or energy needs.

Orthorexia Nervosa

Orthorexia nervosa is not an official eating disorder in the DSM-5, though it has attracted a great deal of recent attention as a proposed diagnosis for future editions. It differs from other eating disorders because the unhealthy obsession does not typically come from a desire to lose weight. Further, the focus is not on food quantity but rather food quality.

Orthorexia nervosa is an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating and involves adhering to a theory of healthy eating to the point that one experiences health, social, and occupational consequences.

Other Eating Disorders

In addition to the ones listed above, other eating disorders include:

Symptoms of an Eating Disorder

Although symptoms of different eating disorders vary greatly, some may indicate a reason to investigate further. What's more, if your thoughts and/or behaviors surrounding food, weight, or body image are causing distress and impacting daily functioning, it's time to seek help.

Dietary restriction

Frequent weight changes or being significantly underweight

Negative body image

Presence of binge eating

Presence of excessive exercise

Presence of purging, laxative, or diuretic use

Excessive thoughts surrounding food, body image, and weight

Mental Effects

Eating disorders often occur along with other mental disorders, most often anxiety disorders, including:﻿﻿

Anxiety disorders usually predate the onset of an eating disorder. Often, people with eating disorders also experience depression and score high on measures of perfectionism.

Physical Effects

Because sufficient intake of nutritionally balanced foods is essential for regular functioning, eating disorders can significantly affect physical and mental operations. A person does not have to be underweight to experience the medical consequences of an eating disorder. Eating disorders affect every system of the body and can lead to physical health problems like:

Brain mass loss

Cardiovascular problems

Gastrointestinal issues (e.g., chronic constipation, gastroesophageal reflux)

Dental problems

Disrupted sleep patterns

Fainting spells

Hair loss or downy hair all over the body (called lanugo)

Loss of menstrual period post-puberty (or delayed first period)

Musculoskeletal injuries and pain

Weakened bones

Diagnosis of Eating Disorders

Medical physicians or mental health professionals, including psychiatrists and psychologists, can diagnose eating disorders. Often, a pediatrician or primary care doctor will diagnose an eating disorder after noticing symptoms during a regular check-up or after a parent or family member expresses concern over their loved one's behavior.

Although there is no one laboratory test to screen for eating disorders, your doctor can use a variety of physical and psychological evaluations as well as lab tests to determine your diagnosis, including:

A physical exam, during which your provider will check your height, weight, and vital signs

Lab tests, including a complete blood count, liver, kidney, and thyroid function tests, urinalysis, X-ray, and an electrocardiogram

Psychological evaluation, which includes personal questions about your eating behaviors, binging, purging, exercise habits, and body image

There are also multiple questionnaires and assessment tools used to assess a person's symptoms, including:

Eating Disorder Inventory

SCOFF Questionnaire

Eating Attitudes Test

Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q)

Who Is Diagnosed?

Contrary to popular belief, eating disorders do not only affect teenage girls. They occur in people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses. They are, however, more commonly diagnosed in women.

Men are underrepresented in eating disorder statistics-the stigma of having a condition associated primarily with women often keeps them from seeking help and getting diagnosed. Furthermore, eating disorders may also present differently in men.

Eating disorders have been diagnosed in children as young as age 6 and in older adults and seniors. The different ways eating disorders manifest in these populations can contribute to their unrecognizable nature, even by professionals.

While eating disorders affect people of all ethnic backgrounds, they are often overlooked in non-white populations due to stereotyping. The mistaken belief that eating disorders only affect affluent white females has contributed to the lack of public health treatment for others-the only option available to many underserved and marginalized populations.

And although not well-studied, it is postulated that the experience of discrimination and oppression among transgender populations contribute to higher rates of eating and other disorders among transgender individuals.

Causes of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are complex illnesses. While we do not definitively know what causes them, some theories exist.

It appears that 50% to 80% of the risk for developing an eating disorder is genetic, but genes alone do not predict who will develop an eating disorder. It is often said that "genes load the gun, but environment pulls the trigger."

Certain situations and events-often called "precipitating factors"-contribute to or trigger the development of eating disorders in those who are genetically vulnerable.

Some environmental factors implicated as precipitants include:

It has also become common to blame eating disorders on the media. While media influence is recognized as a complicating factor, it isn't considered an underlying cause of eating disorder development in individuals. Ultimately, a person must also have a genetic vulnerability for eating disorders to develop.

Treatment for Eating Disorders

Early intervention is associated with an improved outcome, so please do not delay seeking assistance. Life may even need to be put on hold while you focus on getting well. And once you are well, you will be in a much better position to appreciate what life has to offer. Help is available in various formats, although it is common to start treatment with the lowest level of care and progress to higher levels as needed.

Some people with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder may explore self-help or guided-self help based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) principles. The person may work through a workbook, manual, or web platform to learn about the disorder and develop skills to overcome and manage it. Self-help is contraindicated for anorexia nervosa.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is the best-studied outpatient therapy for adult eating disorders and includes the following elements:﻿﻿

Family-Based Treatment (FBT)

Family-based treatment (FBT) is the best-studied treatment for children and adolescents with eating disorders.﻿﻿ Essentially, the family is a vital part of the treatment team. Parents commonly provide meal support, which allows the young person to recover in their home environment. Another important element of FBT is externalizing the eating disorder.

Nutritional Therapy

A registered dietitian can help you learn (or relearn) the components of a healthy diet and motivate you to make the needed changes.

Weekly Outpatient Treatment

Weekly outpatient treatment is the usual starting point for those who have access to treatment and typically includes treatment by a team of professionals, including a therapist, a dietitian, and a medical doctor. Other successful outpatient therapies for adult eating disorders include:

Intensive Treatment

For people needing a higher level of care, treatment is available at multiple levels, including intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential, and hospital levels of care. In these settings, a multidisciplinary team almost always provides treatment.

Coping With an Eating Disorder

Caring for your physical and mental health will go a long way toward helping you cope with an eating disorder. In addition to talking to a therapist or joining a support group (like Eating Disorders Anonymous), seek support from a trusted friend or family member who can be there for you along your path to recovery.

Beyond self-care, it's also essential to identify a few healthy distractions you can turn to when you find yourself obsessing about food and weight or experiencing the urge to turn to disordered eating or behaviors. Here are a few to consider:

Explore a new hobby, like photography, painting, or knitting

Invest in an adult coloring book

Practice mindfulness meditation

Take a leisurely walk

Try a yoga class or DVD

Write in a journal

A Word From Verywell

Recovery from an eating disorder isn't easy. It takes courage, but it is possible with the right support system in place.

If you are the parent of a minor with an eating disorder, then it is wise for you to seek treatment on their behalf. Supporting a child with an eating disorder is hard work, but there are resources for you. If your loved one with an eating disorder is an adult, you can still play an important role in helping them too.

Since people with eating disorders often do not believe they have a problem. Family members and significant others play a critical role in getting them help. Although recovery from an eating disorder can be challenging and sometimes long, it is possible.

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Formally classified as "feeding and eating disorders" in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the term "eating disorders" represents a group of complex mental health conditions that can seriously impair health and social functioning. Because of the physical nature of their defining symptoms, eating disorders can cause both emotional distress and significant medical complications.

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complex carbohydrates usually consist of buckwheat, freekah, and whole grains.

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Recommended Dietary Allowance: average daily level of intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97%-98%) healthy people.

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A food fad is a popular food item or diet for only a short time period.

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loosing more liquds then you take in, symtoms: feeling thirsty, dark yellow and strong-smelling pee, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, feeling tired.a dry mouth, lips and eyes. It takes 36 hours to rehydrate your body.

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Foodborne illness is caused by consuming contaminated foods or beverages. Many different disease-causing microbes or pathogens can contaminate foods, so there are many different types of foodborne illnesses. Most foodborne diseases are infections caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Symptoms: Vomiting; Diarrhea

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the process of breaking down food by mechanical and enzymatic action in the alimentary canal into substances that can be used by the body.

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Malnutrition is a serious condition that happens when your diet does not contain the right amount of nutrients. It means "poor nutrition" and can refer to: undernutrition – not getting enough nutrients. overnutrition – getting more nutrients than needed.

Prevention factors: Healthy diet

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Dietary fiber increases the weight and size of your stool and softens it. A bulky stool is easier to pass, decreasing your chance of constipation.

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Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against free radicals, which may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases.

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There are 5 major nutrients, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Nutrients are essential to health and to keep the body full of energy and strong.

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Vegetarians do not eat the meat of any animal or any type of animal product. They do not eat fish either because if someone ate fish and not other meats it would be called pescatarians.

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The amount of energy in an item of food or drink is measured in calories. When we eat and drink more calories than we use up, our bodies store the excess as body fat.

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a food fad is a diet that becomes very popular for a short period of time. they aren’t always the best for you which is why they don’t always stay very popular

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cholesterol is a substance that is in your blood. you need cholesterol because it helps you build healthy cells. but too much cholesterol can cause a higher risk of heart disease

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Anemia is a disorder in which your body's tissues don't get enough oxygen because you don't have enough healthy red blood cells

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Foods that have been enriched have had nutrients and minerals added back into the food towards the end of the process

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A substance added to food to enhance its flavor or appearance or to preserve it

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Dietary supplements are processed dietary ingredients. That means that they are pills, tablets powders or liquids that you consume to make sure you are getting enough of the dietary ingredients

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Wellness is the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental health outcomes

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The number of calories your body requires at rest

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Enriched foods are foods that have had the nutrients taken out and replaced. These are foods like white bread

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Poor nutritional intake, chronic or acute health problems, medicines, changed nutrient metabolism, or a combination of these variables can cause nutrient shortages or illnesses, which can affect the amounts of macronutrients and micronutrients in the body. The most common is Iron deficiency