| Eating disorders are characterized by
disturbed eating behaviours and are generally accompanied by a preoccupation with food and
body image or shape. They include anorexia, bulimia and binge eating or compulsive
overeating. Anorexia is characterized by self-starvation and extreme weight loss.
Symptoms include:
- weight 15% or more below healthy weight for age and height
- intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat
- distorted body image
- in females, loss of menstrual periods.
Bulimia is
characterized by periods of binge eating followed by purging.
Symptoms include:
- recurrent episodes of bingeing and purging
- purging by self-induced vomitting, use of laxatives, enemas
or other medications, fasting or excessive dieting
- sense of being out of control of eating during binge
- frequent dieting.
Binge Eating or Compulsive
Overeating is characterized by periods of
binge eating or continuous overeating often followed by periods of dieting or fasting.
Symptoms include:
- recurrent episodes of binge eating or excessive eating when
not physiologically hungry
- sense of being unable to control eating
- periods of dieting or fasting.
More About Eating Disorders
How Do I Tell If Someone I Care About Has An Eating Disorder?
What Do I Do If Someone I Care About Has An Eating Disorder?
Do I Need Help?
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