Eating disorders can manifest as weight problems, body dissatisfaction, or eating issues. An eating disorder is a condition where the body cannot control the amount of food it consumes, restrains food intake and restricts diet. Anorexia is a type of eating disorder where the person is severely underweight. In anorexia nervosa, the individual fears gaining weight and has body image issues (Kearney & Trull, 2016). Sooki’s example is an illustration of anorexia. Sooki is very conscious of her body. An individual’s BMI determines how severe anorexia is. Kearney and Trull (2016) have found that people with anorexianervosa actually do possess an appetite. This is contrary to what many believe.
Bulimia nervosa can be defined as overeating and/or overindulgence with food intake, using inappropriate methods to lose weight, self-examination which is greatly influenced and influenced in part by the person’s evaluation of their body shape and weight. Binge eating refers to eating a high amount of food over a brief period. The quantity of food eaten in less than two hours is often more than what the majority of individuals would consume in such a little time frame (Kearney & Trull, 2016). Binge-eating is most common in the privacy of one’s home and is often triggered in part by insecurity and despair.
Binge-eating disorders are characterized by involuntary eating that causes discomfort. To be classified as an eating disorder, one must experience binging at least once per week for three consecutive months. Other symptoms of this disorder include eating at a faster rate, continuing to eat even when one feels full, consuming large amounts of food regardless of whether one is full, eating in secret due to the quantity of food consumed, and being consumed with guilt, depression, and disgust after overeating (Kearney & Trull, 2016). Binge eaters are often unhappy with the way they eat and will seek out weight loss programs. Sporadic eating is when you eat large quantities of food quickly. Eating disorders can range from eating restrictions to excessive eating and poor body image.