Eating Disorders are serious conditions related to persistent eating behaviors that negatively impact your health, emotions and ability to function in important areas of life. The good news is that with treatment, you can return to healthier eating habits .

Most eating disorders involve focusing too much on your weight, body shape and food, leading to dangerous eating behaviors. These behaviors can significantly impact your body’s ability to get appropriate nutrition. Eating disorders can harm the heart, digestive system, bones, and teeth and mouth, and lead to other diseases.

What are the types of eating disorders?

• Symptoms vary, depending on the type of eating disorder. Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-Eating Disorder are the most common eating disorders. Other eating disorders include Rumination Disorder and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.
• Anorexia Nervosa: Anorexia Nervosa is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of weight or shape. When you have Anorexia, you excessively limit calories or use other methods to lose weight , such as excessive exercise, using laxatives or diet aids, or vomiting after eating. Efforts to reduce your weight, even when underweight , can cause severe health problems, sometimes to the point of deadly self-starvation.
• Bulimia Nervosa: When you have Bulimia, you have episodes of bingeing and purging that involve feeling a lack of control over your eating.
• Binge-Eating Disorder: When you have Binge-Eating Disorder, you regularly eat too much food (binge) and feel a lack of control over your eating.
• Rumination Disorder: Rumination Disorder is repeatedly and persistently regurgitating food after eating.
• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: In this case, you avoid food with certain sensory characteristics, such as colour, texture, smell or taste; or you’re concerned about the consequences of eating, such as fear of choking. The disorder can result in significant weight loss or failure to gain weight in childhood, as well as nutritional deficiencies that can cause health problems.