What Are Eating Disorders?

• In the most basic form, eating disorders are defined by, “any of a range of psychological disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits.”
• Eating disorders are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening consequences for females and males.
• Eating disorders can involve complex and damaging relationships with food, exercise, and body image.
• Eating disorders are not a “fad” or a “phase.” Eating disorders are not a “choice.”
• Eating disorders are real, complex, and devastating conditions that can have serious long-term health consequences when left untreated.

What is Disordered Eating? 

• Contrary to what many may believe, “disordered eating” and “eating disorder” are not interchangeable terms.
• Disordered eating is much more common and symptoms typically occur less often than those of an eating disorder.
• Disordered eating refers to a troublesome, unhealthy relationship with certain aspects of food.
• An individual with disordered eating may go on several diets on a fairly regular basis and believe certain foods are “good” while others are “bad.”
• Disordered eating often times is the precursor to a diagnosable eating disorder.