Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders (/ˈiːtɪŋ dɪsˈɔːrdərz/) are a range of psychological conditions characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits. The etymology of the term "eating disorder" is derived from the English words "eating" (from Old English 'etan') and "disorder" (from Latin 'dis-' and 'ordo').

Types of Eating Disorders

There are several types of eating disorders, including:

Anorexia Nervosa - Characterized by weight loss or lack of appropriate weight gain in growing children; difficulties maintaining an appropriate body weight for height, age, and stature; and, in many individuals, distorted body image.

Bulimia Nervosa - Characterized by a cycle of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting designed to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating.

Binge Eating Disorder - Characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food; a feeling of a loss of control during the binge; experiencing shame, distress or guilt afterwards; and not regularly using unhealthy compensatory measures to counter the binge eating.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) - Characterized by the consumption of an insufficient variety or amount of food, leading to nutritional deficiency or weight loss, but without the body image concerns seen in anorexia nervosa.

Causes

The exact cause of eating disorders is unknown. However, it is believed to be a combination of biological, psychological, and/or environmental abnormalities. Some of the potential causes include:

Genetics - Certain people may have genes that increase their risk of developing eating disorders.

Psychological and emotional health - People with certain psychological and emotional problems, such as low self-esteem or perfectionism, may be more likely to develop eating disorders.

Societal pressure - Society and culture can contribute to the development of eating disorders by promoting thin bodies as ideal.

Treatment

Treatment for eating disorders usually involves a combination of medical, nutritional, and therapeutic interventions. It is crucial to seek treatment early for eating disorders. People with eating disorders are at higher risk for suicide and medical complications.

Eating Disorders