Eating disorders are a group of conditions characterized by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake. They include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.
People with eating disorders often have a distorted view of their body weight and shape. They may see themselves as overweight even when they are underweight. Eating disorders can lead to serious health problems and even death.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. People with anorexia nervosa have an intense fear of gaining weight and will often go to great lengths to avoid doing so. This can lead to severe malnutrition and other health complications. Anorexia nervosa is most common in young women but it can affect people of any age or gender.
Bulimia nervosa is another type of eating disorder that is characterized by episodes of binge-eating followed by purging through vomiting or the use of laxatives. People with bulimia nervosa often have a distorted view of their body weight and shape and are overly concerned with being thin. Bulimia nervosa can also lead to severe health complications such as electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and heart problems. It is most common in young women but it can affect people of any age or gender.
Binge-eating disorder is an eating disorder that is characterized by episodes of overeating without purging afterward. Binge-eating disorder is the most common type of eating disorder in the United States . It affects more than 3% of adults in the U . S . , which equals about 8 million people . Binge – eaters often feel out -of – control during these episodes , eat much more rapidly than normal , eat until they feel uncomfortably full , eat large amounts even when they ’ re not physically hungry , eat alone because they ’ re embarrassed by how much they ’ re eating . Bingeing may be followed by feelings such as guilt , shame , anxiety , disgust ; however unlike those with bulimia nervosa , individuals with binge eating disorder do not purge after binges (e . g., via vomiting or taking laxatives) . Many people with binge-eating disorder are obese but not all are . The cause for this condition isn’t fully understood; however, research suggests that it’s likely due to a combination of genetic, psychological, environmental factors such as dieting or having family members with obesity or disordered eating behaviors .