Facts

Fact Sheet

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders are illnesses associated with disturbances in eating behavior, severe body image distortion and an obsession with weight. Sufferers are terrified of gaining weight and continue to diet or binge and purge even as their mental and physical health deteriorate. Generally, the three types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.

What are the signs and symptoms of eating disorders?

People with anorexia nervosa literally starve themselves by dramatically restricting their food/caloric intake. Symptoms include significant weight loss, refusing to maintain minimum normal body weight, loss of menstruation, dry skin, sallow complexion, disturbances in the perception of body shape, and an intense fear of gaining weight, even when underweight. Sufferers may develop a dangerously low body temperature or white blood cell count, severe heart problems, or brittle, weak bones.

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent periods of binge-eating in which the sufferer eats until overly full, often while feeling out of control. As the binge ends, fear of weight gain causes the person to develop compensatory behaviors such as purging, generally by intentionally vomiting, using laxatives or compulsively exercising. Bulimics often develop swelling of the feet, hands and cheeks, and serious dental, throat and intestinal problems. This disorder may go undetected because the victim’s weight can be at times normal or even somewhat overweight.

Binge eating disorder is similar to bulimia but without the compensatory behavior. The binge eater eats enormous amounts of food very quickly, even when not hungry, until he or she feels uncomfortably full. Binge eaters often feel embarrassed and distressed by their inability to stop the binge.