LGBTQIA+

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa involves severely limiting food intake, leading to dangerously low body weight. People with anorexia often have an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted view of their body, and a strong desire to be thin, even when they are underweight or malnourished.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa involves episodes of binge eating (eating large amounts of food in a short time with a loss of control) followed by behaviors to “undo” the binge (like vomiting, excessive exercise, or fasting). People with bulimia may fall within the normal range for their weight, but still have an intense fear of gaining weight and dissatisfaction with their body.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder involves regularly eating large amounts of food in a short time while feeling out of control and distressed. Unlike bulimia, these episodes are not followed by purging or excessive exercise. As a result, people with this eating disorder may become overweight, though the core issue is emotional, not just physical.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) involves avoiding certain foods or eating very little due to sensory sensitivities (like texture or taste) or fear of negative outcomes (such as choking or vomiting). Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID is not related to body image. It often begins in childhood but can occur at any age. It may lead to weight loss, poor growth, or nutritional deficiencies.

• For more detailed information on eating disorders, click here.