Search over 1.4 million articles by over 600 experts
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Eating Disorders

More from About.com

Browse Topics A-Z

Eating Disorders: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Anorexia Statistics
Presents statistics on anorexia nervosa, from prevalence to onset to mortality rates.
SCOFF Eating Disorder Quiz - Take the SCOFF Eating Disorder Quiz
The SCOFF eating disorder quiz is quick, easy to score, and a good indicator of the need to see an eating disorder professional.
EAT-26 Eating Disorders Test
Take an eating disorder test to evaluate whether you are at risk for an diagnosis of anorexia, bulimia, or another eating disorder. This screening is one of the most widely used tools for evaluation of eating disorder symptoms.
Bulimia Statistics
The relevant statistics on bulimia nervosa, from onset ages to prevalence rates to normal length of recovery time.
Major Features of Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa is a powerful eating disorder with serious consequences. This resource describes the major features of anorexia nervosa, including diagnostic criteria, symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, and many other topics.
The Media and Eating Disorders
The media influence the development of eating disorders through advertising and news reporting. But we (and the media) can develop greater awareness and take action to promote positive body image rather than unrealistic goals that require disordered eating.
Unsatisfying Intimacy
Pro-ana and pro-mia promote unhealthy eating patterns and behaviors. See how pro-ana and pro-mia sites fail to deliver what they promise.
Major Features of Bulimia
Bulimia nervosa involves the elimination of food by vomiting or some other method. Presents a multi-category offering of information on the features of bulimia nervosa. Includes information on diagnosis, symptoms, behavioral changes, finding treatment, and much more.
What Causes Eating Disorders?
The actual causes of eating disorders are elusive, but we do know many factors that contribute to eating disorder development.
Physical Symptoms of Bulimia
Bulimia nervosa affects the body in a number of ways. Learn the physical problems that can occur through binging, purging, and excessive laxative use.
Eating Disorder Family Trends
Family dynamics in the family of someone with an eating disorder can be quite varied. Many family types create dynamics that can pave the way for an eating disorder to form. Parents can have a profound impact on their children, pushing them toward or away from eating disorders.
Anorexia and Sex
Anorexia makes sex very challenging for a number of psychological reasons. Like food, sex is perceived as a threat to the mind and body.
Symptoms of Anorexia
Describes the major physical, mental, and behavioral symptoms of anorexia. Symptoms of anorexia range from the benign (like hair growth) to the dangerous (like bone loss) to the frightening (like potentially extreme weight loss).
Eating Disorder Treatment
The first step in overcoming an eating disorder is getting treatment. Eating disorder treatment comes in many forms, and most require multiple kinds of treatment to overcome their eating disorders.
Eating Disorders in Men
Eating disorders in men are more common than we might think. But the ways in which eating disorders play out in men are unique.
What Is Anorexia?
Learn the definition of anorexia nervosa--the criteria for diagnosis from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders.
What Are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are both psychological and physical in nature. An eating disorder is a pattern of eating that is particularly harmful to the body and mind. Eating disorders are often fueled by fear of being or becoming overweight.
Life with Bulimia
A description of how the lifestyle of a person who struggles with bulimia nervosa might look.
The Maudsley Treatment Method
The Maudsley method is a relatively new approach to treatment of anorexia in adolescents. Avoiding the placement of blame, the Maudsley method focuses on dealing with the disorder in a family context.
Thin Model Ban Timeline
Fashion shows and corporations are banning models and actors who are too thin. See how the issue has progressed after the Madrid fashion show became the first entity to ban models who are too thin from working.
Psychology of Anorexia
A look at the psychology of anorexia reveals an internal battle between shame and pride. Examine quotes from people with anorexia and what they reveal about this battle.
What is a Healthy Weight?
How do you know your healthy weight? There are many tools available that will tell you exactly what "your healthy weight" is. But what do these tools know, and what do they really tell you?
Find an ED Support Group
Find an eating disorder support group in your area. Whether you struggle with anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder or related problems, an eating disorder support group can be a huge part of recovery.
Symptoms of Eating Disorders
Eating disorder symptom lists for major (and other) eating disorders. Eating disorder symptoms manifest in physical, mental, and behavioral ways.
Understanding Emotional Eating
Emotional eating is a common way for us to avoid emotions, and many of us don't realize we're doing it. But emotional eating doesn't have to have control of your life.
Bulimia and Medical Problems
The medical problems associated with bulimia nervosa are dangerous and involve more than the digestive system.
Barbie and Body Image
What effect does Barbie have on body image? And if there's an effect on body image, won't there be an increase in eating disorders? Body image can be fragile for young girls, and Barbie remains extremely popular over fifty years after she was introduced.
Jockeys and Making Weight
Who pays attention to the health of horse racing's jockeys? Jockey weights remain painfully low; the requirements have essentially been frozen for decades.
Eating Disorder Quiz Results - SCOFF Eating Disorder Quiz Results
The SCOFF eating disorder quiz is quick, easy to score, and a good indicator of the need to see an eating disorder professional.
Purging Disorder
Is purging disorder just a milder version of bulimia nervosa, or is it unique? Either way, purging disorder does have the symptoms of bulimia related to purging.
Eating Disorders & Personality
A look at how eating disorders and personality disorders are related, based on behavioral symptoms and relationship tendencies. Personality disorders and eating disorders, when both present, tend to mimic each other.
Eating Disorders and Self-Harm
Those with eating disorders often engage in cutting, burning, or other forms of self-harm. Learn why self-harm is so attractive to these persons, and why it isn't a bid for attention.
Eating Disorders and Pregnancy
Does an eating disorder make a future pregnancy high-risk? Draw conclusions from medical research and available data.
Symptoms of Bulimia
Describes the major physical, mental, and behavioral symptoms of bulimia. Symptoms of bulimia often occur behind the scenes because those who struggle with it do not have the obvious physical symptoms of other eating disorders.
Eating Disorders and Gender
What causes women to be at higher risk for eating disorders? Women with anorexia outnumber men at least ten to one, and bulimia is four times more common in females than males.
Pica: Eating What Isn't Food
A person who has pica will eat non-food substances, possibly including dirt, paint, or string. Learn causes, risks, and treatment options for pica.
Vomiting After Eating
A quick description of how vomiting after meals or snacks points to an eating disorder.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Learn about a disorder that is similar to eating disorders but isn't one. Body dysmorphic disorder, a preoccupation with a perceived defect of a body part, can create debilitating stress.
Eating Disorders - How to Help
It can be difficult to help a family member or friend with an eating disorder. What we want to do to help can sometimes be harmful. Helping someone with an eating disorder requires patience, persistence, and knowledge of your limitations.
Dieting and Eating Disorders
Dieting and its promises of weight loss are very compelling, but dieting has strong ties to the development of eating disorders. Eating disorders of all kinds are logical outcomes of the mental and physical consequences of dieting.
Drug Treatment for BED
There are a number of drugs prescribed for treatment of binge-eating disorder. Learn about classes of medications available, what they promise, and what you need to know to be smart about using them.
Anorexia and Medical Problems
The medical problems associated with anorexia nervosa are many, and a number of them are life-threatening.
Anorexia and Control
Anorexia and control go hand in hand. People with anorexia have a high need for control in their food intake and other parts of their lives. But the question is whether those with anorexia are in control or anorexia is in control of those who struggle with it.
Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder
Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder, also known as "bigorexia," is not classified as an eating disorder. But in many ways, it is the opposite of anorexia. Muscle dysmorphic disorder involves fear about the body's appearance--in this case, that it is not muscular enough.
Diagnosis of Eating Disorders
Knowing whether you or a loved one has an eating disorder is key to beginning to move into healthier ways of living. But how do you find out whether an eating disorder diagnosis is appropriate in your situation?
Eating Disorder Triggers
A look at specific verbal and emotional events that trigger eating disorders. Provides information on sexual abuse and other traumatic triggers for anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders.
Eating Disorders and Health
All eating disorders create health problems. In some cases, health problems associated with eating disorders are dangerous and even life-threatening.
Find Eating Disorder Therapist
Locate a therapist in your area who specializes in eating disorders. Links to information on eating disorder counselors around the country.
Is Pro-Ana Nation a Cult?
Pro-ana web sites are powerful. But in what way? Those who describe their benefits cite mutual support, encouragement and accountability. But members of pro-ana nation develop ties to their web sites that suggest problems.
Find an Eating Disorder Doctor
Locate a doctor who specializes in the medical side of eating disorder treatment.
Night Eating Syndrome
A person with night eating syndrome engages in most of his or her food intake at the evening meal and later, into the night. The desire to eat often interrupts sleep.
Orthorexia Nervosa
Is orthorexia nervosa an eating disorder? Is it an anxiety disorder? Orthorexia is said to be present when a person has an unhealthy obsession with eating healthy food.
Eating Disorders and Stress
A common theory of the psychology of eating disorders is that they help to relieve stress (despite the stress they cause). How do eating disorders accomplish this while harming those who seek relief?
Eating Disorder NOS Definition
Learn the formal definition for eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS), a diagnosis that covers eating disorders that are not anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
Eating When Not Hungry
When a person eats when not hungry, there are often deeper issues at play. Eating is soothing, and when a person is hungry, it soothes hunger. Eating when not hungry implies that the eating is soothing something else.
Eating Disorders and Behaviors
What behaviors increase the risk for development of an eating disorder? Unfortunately, the biggest is dieting.
Seeking "Specialness"
We all want to be "special" in some sense, but those with anorexia pursue their desire for "specialness" with extra passion. Psychologically and practically, where does this lead? Learn more about the psychology of anorexia.
Anorexia Nervosa Therapy
Individual therapy for anorexia nervosa can be a key part of recovery when used with other supports. Learn various types of anorexia nervosa therapy.
Binge-Eating Disorder Defined
Learn the definition under consideration for binge-eating disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Binge-eating disorder is a disorder that qualifies for a diagnosis of Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS).
Mindful Eating for Binge Help
Mindful eating, or sensual eating, is a term used to describe having intentional awareness about food and the process of eating. Often we pay little attention to what we are eating and how it tastes. Eating without awareness can lead to (or be a part of) eating disorders.
What to Expect in Treatment
Choosing to enter treatment for an eating disorder is a courageous act. Get a head start by finding out what happens in an initial evaluation.
Are You an Emotional Eater?
An emotional eater rarely knows that she is dealing with major emotions, and she knows even less often that these emotions trigger eating.
A Mother's Day Gift
Most mother's day gifts fade, but could you provide a gift that lasts? When food and eating are issues for you, a conversation with or letter to your mother could be a gift for her and also a gift for you.
An ED Therapist's View
Many who have eating disorders don't consult an eating disorder therapist. And this may be because of a fear of what might happen. But eating disorder therapists are there to give life back to their clients. Read an interview with therapist Kara Bazzi describing her work.
Abuse and Trauma
Explore the powerful contribution a history of abuse can make to the formation of an eating disorder. The loss of control and the confusion of abuse make eating disorders more likely.
What Happens in a Binge
A discussion of how binge eating might look in someone with bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder, and what a binge can tell us about what goes on in the mind of the person binging.
Weight Loss in Black Women
Are weight control and weight loss behaviors in black women catching up to the weight control behaviors in white women? Research points to the need to better understand ethnic differences in eating behaviors.
I Like My Stomach Empty
Some individuals enjoy having an empty stomach. What makes this attractive, and what does it mean?
Anorexia and Isolation
While anorexia leads to a sense of power, it also tends to lead to isolation. Those with anorexia tend to lose friends and connections with family, isolating them from those who care for them.
Emotional Eating Treatment
If you have decided that you may eat to soothe your emotions, then overcoming emotional eating is the next step. You have a number of emotional eating treatment options that can lead you to a healthier lifestyle.
What is Bulimia?
Learn the criteria for diagnosis of bulimia nervosa from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders.
The Psychology of Bulimia
What goes on in the mind of someone with bulimia? The psychology of bulimia is centered around rituals of thought and behavior.
Building a Treatment Team
Creating your own eating disorder treatment program (with a powerful team of professionals) may seem overwhelming, but breaking it down into parts can ease the burden. Explore treatment program options for eating disorders and find professional resources.
Treating the Whole Disorder
Eating disorder treatment can seem as complex as eating disorders themselves. The causes and effects of the disorder require multiple forms of treatment to achieve the best outcomes.
Choosing a Support Group
Learn the questions to ask to help you decide how to choose an eating disorder support group, whether for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, or another eating disorder.
Through True Eyes
Through True Eyes is an eating disorder film that tells the stories of three women and their recovery from eating disorders. It is a powerful film that gives an accurate view of the world of those who battle eating disorders.
Unilever Bans Too-Thin Models
Following bans on models who are too thin at major fashion shows worldwide, consumer product group Unilever has restricted its advertising models to a healthy weight range.
Others Think I'm Too Thin
A quick thought on how others' opinions that a person looks too thin may be a sign that an eating disorder is present.
Exposing Special K Challenge
In the never-ending push of weight-loss marketing, Kellogg's Special K proposes a new answer. The problem is that it seems as likely to help develop an eating disorder as it is to encourage healthy weight loss.
Age for Eating Disorders
Discusses the prime ages at which eating disorders develop, and how those ages are changing. Also presents several reasons why eating disorders develop at these ages.
Eating Disorder Relapse
Relapse in eating disorders is relatively common. It is not the end of recovery, however, for those who choose to move forward. Knowing what leads to eating disorder relapse and how to bounce back from it are powerful tools.
Eating Disorders and Insulin
Eating disorders are more common in those with diabetes than in other populations. With the ability to regulate (or not regulate) their own insulin, those with diabetes are more vulnerable to eating disorders and dangerous weight management practices.
College and Eating Disorders
How do you deal with a son or daughter who has an eating disorder and is off to college? It's hard enough for parents to handle the situation when the teen is at home. But there are ways to ensure that he or she gets help for the eating disorder.
Intuitive Eating
Intuitive Eating is a way to escape the drag of eating problems and dieting. Read about a book that offers change to anyone whose eating is not what it could be.
Binge-Eating and CBT
A look at how cognitive-behavioral therapy can provide better results for those suffering from binge-eating disorder (BED) if there is quick improvement at the outset of treatment. Also discusses what a client should do if quick improvement does not occur with cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Calorie Restriction's Hazards
The extreme calorie restriction diet, or reducing 20-40 percent of food intake while getting essential nutrients, is a controversial and dramatic practice that proponents say will lead to a healthier and longer life. The long-term risks are unknown.
Binging Is Really Deprivation
We think of binge eating (or compulsive overeating) as gluttonous, wasteful, and indulgent, but to stop binge eating, it's more helpful to recognize where it deprives a person of core desires. Binge eating's numbness takes away the ability to pursue genuine wants and needs.
Vegetarians and EDs
A switch to vegetarianism is an attractive choice for many people who have ethical concerns and desires to be more healthy. The question is whether becoming a vegetarian opens the door to developing an eating disorder.
Equestrian Sports and EDs
The beauty of horse riding competitions is undeniable. But in some corners of equestrian sports, pressure for riders to be thin encourages eating disorders. The emphasis on appearance in some horse riding competitions can encourage getting thinner in unhealthy ways.
Relationships of Caregivers
It is easy to become isolated when you are a caregiver for a person with an eating disorder. It strains the caregiver's relationship with family and friends, as well as the relationship with the person who has the eating disorder.
Parenting by Example
Eating disorder prevention can be tricky business, since many things that seem logical as parents tend to make eating disorders worse. Learn ways to set examples for your children that help to guard against eating disorder development and progression.
Pro-Ana
Definition of "pro-ana" (pro-anorexia).
Binge-Eating Disorder
Binge-eating disorder affects more men and women in the United States than anorexia and bulimia combined. Find everything from diagnostic criteria to symptoms to treatment and recovery help for binge-eating disorder.
Results of Eating Binges
Quick thoughts on why binge eating indicates a possible eating disorder.
Life After Eating Disorders
Aimee Liu's Gaining: The Truth About Life After Eating Disorders is a clear-eyed look at a confusing and seldom-treated subject. Eating disorder recovery doesn't stop when the disordered eating stops.
How EDs Change Mealtimes
When a child or loved one has an eating disorder, you may feel as though you're losing control of everything--mealtime, social time, finances, and more. It's key to maintain a voice where you can.
Symptoms of BED
Describes the major symptoms of binge-eating disorder (BED) -- physical, mental, and behavioral. Some symptoms of binge-eating disorder are found in bulimia nervosa as well, while others also show up in those who are simply overweight.
Finding a Dietitian
Locate a dietitian who specializes in anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders. Resources are available for searching by state, nationally, and even internationally.
Making Weight: Male Body Image
Men with eating disorders and body image disorders have few resources that speak directly to their situations. The authors of Making Weight normalize eating disorders in men and other body image struggles, filling the need with a book that is long overdue.
More Than Dessert
Comments on a powerful and insightful book from someone who has been there (and back) herself.
Eating Disorders - QuickTips
An index of QuickTips for the Eating Disorders guide site.
More is at Stake Than Eating
Involving family in eating disorder treatment is a growing trend that has significant benefits. The family of a person with an eating disorder includes those who often feel the disorder's impact the most. Including family members in treatment and the recovery process can give them a sense of relief from not knowing what to do.
Fear of Being Overweight
Quick thoughts on why a fear of becoming overweight may indicate the presence of an eating disorder.
Feeling Guilty After Eating
A note on how guilt in eating can contribute to eating disorders.
Amenorrhea
Definition of amenorrhea
Preoccupation With Food
Quick thoughts on why being preoccupied with food may indicate the presence of an eating disorder.
Avoiding Eating When Hungry
Quick thoughts on why avoiding eating when hungry may signal the presence of an eating disorder.
Avoiding Foods With Sugar
How a firm commitment to avoiding sugar might signal an eating disorder.
Rumination Disorder
Rumination disorder involves regurgitating and often rechewing food that has already been swallowed. Rumination disorder affects a number of populations but is most common in infants.
Anorexia and Suicide
The threat of suicide makes anorexia nervosa especially dangerous. Anorexia has a very high mortality rate, and suicide is a significant contributor.
Set Point Theory
Definition of set point theory from an eating disorders perspective.
Nutritionist
A nutritionist differs from a registered dietitian in training and certification. However, some nutritionists do have certifications.
Eating Disorder Groups
A significant part of many eating disorder treatment plans is group work of some kind. Whether its main purpose is therapy, support, or a twelve-step recovery process, a group offers unique help in treatment and recovery.
An ED Therapist's Work
Part 2 of an interview with eating disorder therapist Kara Bazzi. Bazzi lets us in on the main thrusts of her work with clients and how she hopes to work for change on many fronts. She also discusses her collaboration with dietitians--who even co-lead some of Bazzi's group therapy sessions.
Purging
Definition of purging
Discovering the ED
Figuring out that a friend, child, or other family member has an eating disorder is difficult to handle. Find what you need to know about discovering an eating disorder and confronting the problem.
Children and Food Choices
You want to make choices that give your children the food they need and in the right amount. All the while, you're overseeing the development of their relationships with food. How do you ensure that children and food get along, especially as they grow?
Recovery Interview
An interview with eating disorder survivor Mary Pat Nally, author of Reflecting Grace, reveals that eating disorders other than anorexia and bulimia can bring a host of unwelcome problems. Recovery, however, is possible and obtainable.
Other Eating Disorders
You may know about anorexia and bulimia. What other eating disorders exist? There is a wide variety of disordered eating affecting many populations.
The Case for a BED Diagnosis
Binge-eating disorder is under further study as a possible formal diagnosis. For now, binge-eating disorder is not recognized as a diagnosis, which may limit treatment options for those who struggle with it.
Avoiding Carbs
A brief note on how low-carb and no-carb diets can contribute to the onset of eating disorders.
I Eat Extra Slowly
How very slow eating can signal an eating disorder.
Others Want Me to Eat
A brief note on how others' opinions that a person isn't eating enough may be a sign that an eating disorder is present.
Eating in Secret
If you find yourself eating in secret, you may be participating in emotional eating. Eating in secret implies that nourishment is not your goal when you eat.
I Enjoy Trying Rich Foods
What trying new foods can mean in the world of eating disorders.
Darkness and Light in Recovery
A first-person account of how cutting and self-injury interweave with eating disorders, Vanessa Vega's Comes the Darkness, Comes the Light gives hope for recovery.
Weight Gain in Anorexia
For those with anorexia, gaining weight is a frightening process. Knowing what to expect in the weight-gain portion of recovery from anorexia can be reassuring.
Lanugo
Lanugo defined.
Anorexia and Prozac
A number of studies exist testing the effectiveness of Prozac (fluoxetine) as a treatment for anorexia nervosa in various stages. The promise, however, seems to exceed the effectiveness.
Abuse of Ipecac Syrup
Ipecac syrup is a powerful medicine created to help remove poison from the body. It is dangerous when used in eating disorder practices.
Therapy for Bulimia
Therapy for bulimia nervosa means dealing with emotional and psychological issues that accompany the physical. Individual therapy is the most widely available form of therapy for bulimia.
Choosing a Therapist
Having a counselor you trust is important; it gives you the best chance to make good progress. Find out how you can be savvy in choosing your therapist.
Being Aware of Calories
Quick thoughts on why calorie counting can be a step toward an eating disorder.
Cutting Food Small
Quick thoughts on why cutting food into small bites, taken with other factors, could indicate an eating disorder.
Food Taking Too Much Time
Discussion of the problems associated with giving too much time to food.
I Have Self-Control
A peek at the two sides of self-control--how control can go too far and indicate a potential eating disorder.
Stress and Emotional Eating
If food becomes more attractive as stress levels rise, you may be experiencing a type of emotional eating.
Thoughts of Burning Calories
A note on how a focus on burning calories--to the exclusion of working toward feeling better--is a red flag possibly signaling an eating disorder.
EDs and Sex Addiction
We're learning that sex addiction and an eating disorder often occur in the same person. Why is this likely, and what will it take to address both sex addiction and eating disorders in treatment?
How Symptoms Project to Others
When you're giving care for someone with an eating disorder, you may find that the symptoms can affect your relationship with the person. You may feel as though you're being treated like food.
Choosing a Doctor
Select a doctor for eating disorder treatment who will contribute the most to your recovery.
Genetics and Eating Disorders
Evidence mounts for a genetic component to eating disorder development.
Pro-Ana's Legal Problems
It may not be there yet, but it soon will be -- a legal challenge to pro-ana websites. Does their content violate liability laws? Is seeking to shut them down a violation of free speech?
DBT for Binge-Eating Disorder
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is under investigation as a treatment for binge eating (compulsive overeating). DBT's ability to help regulate emotions may make it as effective for binge eating as it is for its original purpose, borderline personality disorder.
Equine Therapy for EDs
Eating disorders are difficult to treat, but equine therapy makes progress where people sometimes can't. Equine therapy powerfully teaches those with eating disorders how to make peace with their bodies and their hearts.
Bulimia's Purging Threshold
Among the facets of the psychology of bulimia is the specific point during binging at which purging seems to become the only option. This "purging threshold" is a key moment in the cycle of binging and purging.
Father Hunger- -A Book Review
Margo Maine's Father Hunger turns the spotlight on the dads in the lives of those with eating disorders. It is an ambitious work and a rewarding read.
Pro-Mia
Definition of "pro-mia" (pro-bulimia).
Purgatives
Definition of purgatives. Provides meaning of "purgatives," especially as related to eating disorders.
Diuretics
A definition of diuretics, particularly as they pertain to eating disorders.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Eating Disorders

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.