Last Updated:
March 13th, 2025
Food is an inarguable necessity for survival. While the nutritional value of what we eat keeps us alive, it becomes a source of distress for a person with an eating disorder.
More people than you realise can be affected by eating disorders, with the eating disorder charity Beat estimating that as many as 1.25 million people are suffering across the country. This figure shows the urgent need for awareness and treatment for those affected..
What classifies as an eating disorder?
Eating disorders are classified as severe and persistent disturbances in eating behaviours and attitudes toward food. Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that can cause damage to your health and impair the way you function. Having a distorted view of the nourishment needed for survival can cause your body extreme distress or lead to fatal consequences.
What are the most common eating disorders?
Eating disorders do not discriminate and can affect a person of any age, weight, race or lifestyle. Some of the most common eating disorders and their symptoms include:
Anorexia nervosa
When someone paints a mental picture of a typical example of an eating disorder, they likely think of an extremely underweight person with anorexia nervosa. Often shortened to just “anorexia,” someone suffering from this disorder will have symptoms including:
- An extreme or irrational fear of becoming overweight
- An unusually low body-mass index (BMI)
- Missing meals and self-inflicted starvation
- Delays and disruptions to menstrual cycles in women
Around 10% of people with an eating disorder suffer from anorexia nervosa. It can be particularly prevalent among young women and people striving for an athletic career, such as professional dancers. Research suggests that women are three times more likely than men to suffer from anorexia.
Binge eating disorder
Binge eating disorder is when a person eats an excessive amount of food in a short time and feels like they can’t control what or how much they’re eating. Experts suggest that if you binge eat at least once a week for 3 months, you may have binge eating disorder. Symptoms of binge eating include:
- Eating to the point of uncomfortable fullness
- Eating when you’re full or not hungry
- Feeling like you can’t stop once you start eating
- Having feelings of depression, disgust or shame about what you eat
Binge eating disorder may be planned in advance or be spontaneous. It’s often done alone or in secret and most commonly develops when a person is in their 20s or older.
Bulimia
Similar to binge eating disorder, bulimia is marked by episodes of uncontrollable eating and eating to the point of discomfort. However, bulimia differs in that it is followed by a phase of “purging”, where the person tries to find ways to expel the food afterwards. After a phase of overeating, symptoms of bulimia may appear as follows:
- Self-induced vomiting (often in secret)
- Misuse of laxatives or water pills (diuretics) to purge the body
- Excessive fasting and exercising, to the point of pain
- Depression and an unhealthy outlook on their eating habits
- Dental problems with tooth erosion after vomiting
Historically, women have reported and been affected by bulimia as much as 3 times more than men. Bulimia may be harder to physically recognise as it often occurs in people we perceive to have a “normal” or “healthy” body weight.
OSFED
OFSED is an acronym that stands for “‘Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder.’ Research into eating disorders is constantly expanding and developing. OFSED often includes disorders and unhealthy attitudes towards eating that dieticians and psychologists do not yet recognise.
One such illness is “orthorexia“, which happens when a person has an extreme obsession with healthy eating and body image positivity (to a damaging degree). As understanding of eating orders evolves, attitudes and habits of unhealthy eating can shift from non-classified illnesses to disorders that professionals can officially diagnose.
Pica syndrome
One of the most disturbing eating disorders a person can suffer from is pica syndrome. Pica syndrome distorts and corrupts a person’s view on food to the point of them eating objects that are not considered foodstuffs. This can lead them to chew and swallow materials like clay, flakes of paint and cigarette ashes.
Pica syndrome is most common in children, though it can still occur in adults with developmental and emotional disabilities. As many as 10% to 30% of children ages 1 to 6 can be affected.
What are the leading causes of eating disorders?
There is no single cause that leads a person to develop an eating disorder, and contributors are complex and varied. A person’s genes, environment, education and social life can all lead to unhealthy relationships with food.
With that said, many experts believe that eating disorders are most likely to form during childhood and adolescence. A child may grow up eating consistently unhealthy foods or may not be taught proper nutritional values and develop an eating disorder. They may also find food as an escape from stressful situations during adolescence, as research indicates that teens who have been through 4 or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are almost 6 times more likely to develop an eating disorder.
Social media’s rise and influence may also be a significant contributor to eating disorders. With the growing amount of online influencers who promote unrealistic body image and standards, nutritional advice has become a hot topic. Many influencers, with no medical credentials at all, are paid to promote diets and supplements that “cure” a disorder or condition. This can be especially influential on young viewers already facing pressures to “fit in” and to look appealing.
Understanding the broad influences that increase the likelihood of developing an eating disorder can help us develop effective interventions before they spiral out of control.
Recognising eating disorders in someone
Recognising early warning signs can help someone you love get eating disorder treatment before it’s too late. The risks of eating disorders become greater over time as unhealthy eating behaviours create deleterious health complications like heart disease and organ failure.
Before you broach the topic which might cause them stress, there may be signs to watch out for in a loved one:
- Constant preoccupation with their diet and weight
- Withdrawing from social settings and avoiding eating with others
- Hiding food and eating habits from you
- Extreme and rapid weight gain or loss
- Exercising to the point of physical pain and injury
- Extremely stringent habits and routines around the food they eat
Recognising one or more of these signs may help you make the first step toward bringing up the topic. Let your loved one know that you’re coming from a place of love and care.
I need support with an eating disorder
If the points raised resonate with you or a loved one and you want support with an eating disorder, we want to let you know that help is available.
Here at UKAT, we provide programmes and treatment for eating disorders that can help set up a life of healthier eating. Our staff provides holistic eating disorder treatment in a safe, supportive environment and our aftercare plan helps you and your loved ones in time of need.
We’re only one decision away from helping you to a healthier life with structured nutrition every day. Get in touch with us for complete eating disorder recovery today.
