Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterized by severe disturbances in eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions. **Major Types:** **Anorexia Nervosa:** - Restriction of food intake leading to significantly low body weight - Intense fear of gaining weight - Distorted body image (feeling fat despite being underweight) - Two subtypes: restricting type and binge-purge type **Bulimia Nervosa:** - Recurrent episodes of binge eating (eating large amounts, feeling out of control) - Compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain (vomiting, laxatives, excessive exercise, fasting) - Self-evaluation heavily influenced by body shape and weight - Often normal weight or slightly overweight **Binge Eating Disorder (BED):** - Recurrent binge eating episodes without regular compensatory behaviors - Eating rapidly, until uncomfortably full, when not hungry - Eating alone due to embarrassment - Feeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty afterward - Most common eating disorder **ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder):** - Extreme picky eating beyond normal - Limited variety based on sensory aspects, fear of choking/vomiting - Not driven by body image concerns **Who is affected:** - Anyone can develop an eating disorder regardless of age, gender, race, body size - Rising rates in males, older adults, and LGBTQ+ individuals - Not a choice or lifestyle—they are serious mental illnesses

Eating disorders develop from a complex mix of factors: **Biological factors:** - Genetic predisposition (eating disorders run in families) - Brain chemistry differences (serotonin, dopamine) - Hormonal factors - History of weight problems **Psychological factors:** - Perfectionism and need for control - Low self-esteem - Body dissatisfaction - History of trauma or abuse - Other mental health conditions (anxiety, depression, OCD) **Social/Cultural factors:** - Cultural emphasis on thinness - Weight stigma and fat-phobia - Social media and appearance comparison - Diet culture - Certain sports/activities emphasizing weight (gymnastics, wrestling, ballet) **The role of dieting:** Dieting is one of the strongest predictors of eating disorder development. It can trigger binge eating and creates a restrict-binge cycle. This does not mean all dieters develop eating disorders, but vulnerable individuals are at higher risk.