Eating Disorders 101

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that involve excessive or little intake of food by the individual. These unhealthy eating habits are fuelled by body image issues, body weight or interest in food.

They are of two major types: Anorexia Nervosa which involves individuals viewing themselves as 'overweight' when in reality, they are underweight. This unhealthy viewing of themselves make them monitor their weight by controlling what they eat as well as 'counting calories' and thus, eating lesser than required. Bulimia Nervosa is the second type, which involves eating large amounts of food at a specific period of time, and later, purging it out through induced vomiting or other means. Binging (uncontrollable eating) can also be counted under this disorder.


Though this affects individuals of all ages and genders, it is usually women and adolescents who undergo the same. About 13% of the youth suffer at least one eating disorder by the time they reach the age of 20 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23148784/)


The causes for eating disorders are vast, but can be explained by 6 major approaches/perspectives:

1. Cognitive Approach

2. Socio-cultural Approach

3. Biological Approach

4. Psychoanalytical Approach

5. Behaviourist Approach

6. Humanistic Approach

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