Your Go-to Resource for all Things Eating Disorders

As Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitians, we wanted to provide you with a go-to resource for the 3 common eating disorders we work with in our office every single day to help clients and families on the road to recovery.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is characterized by failure to maintain an adequate body weight, body image disturbance, and excessive dietary restriction. There is also the purging type or use of other self-destructive methods to keep weight off. Anorexia nervosa involves self-starvation. The body is denied the essential nutrients it needs to function normally. So, it is forced to slow down all of its processes to conserve energy.

Signs & Symptoms Anorexia Nervosa

Intense fear of gaining weight
Low self-esteem related to body image
Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, and dieting
Refusal to eat certain foods, progressing to restriction against whole categories of foods
Denial of hunger
Development of food rituals (eating food in certain orders, excessive chewing, rearranging food on a plate)

Health Consequences of Anorexia Nervosa

Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure
Reduction of bone density
Muscle loss and weakness
Severe dehydration
Hair loss and dry skin
Feeling cold all the time
Lack of or irregular menses

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by binge eating (consuming large amounts of food while feeling out of control) accompanied by compensatory behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting to prevent weight gain, and body image disturbances.

Signs & Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa

A feeling of being out of control during binge-eating episodes
Poor self-esteem related to body image
There may be no change in weight so harder to recognize
Frequent trips to the bathroom after meals or packages of wrappers and diuretics
Excessive, rigid exercise regimen
Swelling of the cheeks or jaw area
Discoloration or staining of the teeth

Health Consequences of Bulimia Nervosa

Electrolyte imbalance that can lead to irregular heartbeats
Inflammation and possible rupture of the esophagus
Tooth decay and staining from stomach acid released during vomiting
Chronic irregular bowel movements

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent binge eating without use of compensatory measures to counter the binging. It is the most common eating disorder in the United States. It is often associated with intense shame and guilt. A “binge” can vary in the amount of food consumed and duration spent consuming it, typically it feels out of control.

Signs & Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder

A feeling of being out of control during binge eating episodes
Feelings of strong shame or guilt regarding the binge eating
Eating when not hungry, eating to the point of discomfort or eating because of shame about the behavior

Health Consequences of Binge Eating Disorder

**Important to remember that BED does not equal obesity and often weight loss prescribed as a treatment can damage recovery.*

Diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Heart disease
Gastrointestinal problems
PCOS
Depression
Anxiety

The important thing to remember about all eating disorders is that they are not a choice. They are serious-life threatening illnesses that require appropriate and consistent treatment. Here are some more resources for more information.

National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA)

Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA)

Eating Disorder Network of Maryland (EDN)

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders

Association for Size Diversity and Health