I am Kashish Ahuja, nutritionist at The Kenko Life.
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that involve unhealthy patterns of eating or food-related behaviors. These disorders can have a significant impact on both physical and emotional health. Common types of eating disorders include:
1. Anorexia Nervosa
- Definition: This disorder involves an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, leading to severe restriction of food intake.
- Symptoms: Extreme weight loss, an obsession with dieting and body image, and a refusal to maintain a healthy body weight. People with anorexia often see themselves as overweight, even when they are dangerously underweight.
- Risks: Severe malnutrition, organ damage, infertility, and in extreme cases, death.
2. Bulimia Nervosa
- Definition: Characterized by cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting (purging), excessive exercise, or using laxatives to prevent weight gain.
- Symptoms: Eating large quantities of food in a short period, followed by a sense of loss of control and guilt. People may secretly binge and purge, which can be difficult to detect.
- Risks: Dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, damage to the digestive system, and dental erosion from stomach acid.
3. Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
- Definition: Involves regular episodes of binge eating without the compensatory behaviors seen in bulimia (such as purging or excessive exercise).
- Symptoms: Consuming large amounts of food quickly, often to the point of discomfort. The individual may feel embarrassed or disgusted by their eating behavior.
- Risks: Obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and emotional distress like anxiety and depression.
