Eating Disorders

 

Eating disorders are characterised by an abnormal attitude towards food that causes someone to change their eating habits and behaviour.

A person with an eating disorder may focus excessively on their weight and shape, leading them to make unhealthy choices about food with damaging results to their health.

 

Types of eating disorders:

 

Eating disorders include a range of conditions that can affect someone physically, psychologically and socially. The most common eating disorders are: 

• anorexia nervosa – when someone tries to keep their weight as low as possible, for example by starving themselves or exercising excessively

• bulimia – when someone tries to control their weight by binge eating and then deliberately being sick or using laxatives (medication to help empty their bowels)

• binge eating – when someone feels compelled to overeat

 

Some people, particularly young people, may be diagnosed with an eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS). This is means you have some, but not all, of the typical signs of eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.