Eating Disorder Education Organization

Glossary of Eating Disorder Terminology

The terminology and corresponding definitions are listed below.
You can scroll down to view all or select one of the following to view.

Anorexia Nervosa	Anorexia Athletica
Bulimia Nervosa	Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder	Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (ED-NOS)

Glossary of Eating Disorder Terminology

Anorexia Nervosa

Refusal to maintain body weight over a minimally normal weight for age and height
Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though the individual is underweight
Disturbance in the way in which one’s body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight
In females who have previously had menstrual periods, the absence of at least 3 consecutive menstrual cycles when otherwise expected to occur
1 in 10 cases leads to death from starvation, cardiac arrest, other medical complications, or suicide

There are 2 subtypes of Anorexia Nervosa:

Restricting Type: the person does not regularly engage in binge eating and/or purging
Binge Eating/Purging Type: the person regularly engages in binge eating and/or purging

Physical complications that may occur as a result of Anorexia Nervosa include:

damage to vital organs (e.g., heart, brain)
cessation of menstrual periods
reduced thyroid function
brittle nails and hair
dry skin
constipation
lowered body temperature
inability to withstand cold
anemia
reduced muscle mass
lightheadedness

The majority of individuals with Anorexia Nervosa have co-occurring clinical depression. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, an illness characterized by repetitive thoughts and behaviors, can also accompany anorexia. Individuals with anorexia are typically compliant in personality but may have sudden outbursts of hostility and anger or become socially withdrawn.

^ Back to Top ^

Bulimia Nervosa

Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:

Consuming, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is larger than most individuals would consume during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances and...
A sense of lack of control over eating during the binge episode

Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior that is undertaken in order to prevent weight gain (e.g., such as self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications; fasting; or excessive exercise). The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur for an average of at least twice a week for 3 months.

Self-evaluation/self-worth is unduly influenced by body weight and shape
The disturbance does not occur solely during episodes of anorexia nervosa
There are 2 subtypes of Bulimia Nervosa -
Purging Type and Nonpurging Type:

1. Purging Type: the individual regularly engages in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas
2. Nonpurging Type: the individual uses inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as fasting or excessive exercise, but does not engage in regular purging (e.g., self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas)

Physical complications that may occur as a result of Bulimia Nervosa include:

dental enamel erosion
heart failure
irregular menstrual periods
swollen cheeks

Some individuals with Bulimia Nervosa struggle with addictions, including abuse of drugs and alcohol and compulsive stealing. Like individuals with anorexia, many people with bulimia suffer from clinical depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other psychiatric illnesses. These problems, combined with their impulsive tendencies, place them at increased risk for suicidal behavior.

^ Back to Top ^

Binge Eating Disorder

Recurrent episodes of binge eating where an episode is characterized by eating in a discrete period of time (e.g., within any 2-hour period) an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during similar circumstances and a lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g., a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating)

The binge eating episodes are associated with at least three of the following:

eating much more rapidly than normal
eating until feeling uncomfortably full
eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
eating alone because of being embarrassed by how much one is eating
feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed or feeling guilty about overeating
marked distress regarding binge eating

The binge eating occurs on average at least two days a week for six months. The method of determining frequency differs from that used for bulimia nervosa: future research should address whether counting the number of days on which binges occur or the number of episodes of binge eating is the preferable method of setting a frequency threshold. The disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.

Physical complications that may occur as a result of Binge Eating Disorder include:

weight gain
obesity
increased risk of diabetes
high blood pressure
high cholesterol
some forms of cancer

Some individuals with Binge Eating Disorder struggle with feelings of being out of control, distress, and guilt or shame about binging. Suffererstend to be depressed and overweight with a history of diet failures.

^ Back to Top ^

Anorexia Athletica

Also known as "compulsive exercising disorder"; It has not been studied as rigorously as the other eating disorders, and there are no statistics to indicate how many people exercise compulsively. This is done to lose weight, and the same basic psychological profile as anorexia nervosa applies here:

The person repeatedly exercises beyond the requirements for good health
May be a fanatic about weight and diet
Steals time to exercise from work, school, and relationships
Focuses on challenge; Forgets that physical activity can be fun
Defines self-worth in terms of performance
Is rarely or never satisfied with athletic achievements
Does not savour victory; Pushes on to the next challenge immediately
Justifies excessive behaviour by defining self as a "special" elite athlete
Also known as "reverse anorexia", or even "bigorexia".
Not yet an official diagnosis, but may achieve that status soon.

^ Back to Top ^

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

BDD affects about 2% of U.S. citizens, and strikes males and females in equal percentages usually before 18 (70% of the time). Sufferers are excessively concerned about appearance, body shape, body size, weight, perceived lack of muscles, facial blemishes, and other perceived body inadequacies and flaws. They continue to be concerned in spite of reassurances from friends and family members who usually can see nothing to justify such intense worry and anxiety. In some cases BDD can lead to steroid abuse, unnecessary plastic surgery, and even suicide.

BDD is treatable and begins with an evaluation by a mental health care provider

^ Back to Top ^

Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (ED-NOS)

This category is for disorders of eating that do not meet the criteria for any specific eating disorder. Examples include:

All of the criteria for Anorexia Nervosa are met but the individual has regular menstrual periods
All of the criteria for Anorexia Nervosa are met except that, even though substantial weight loss has occurred, the individual's current weight is in the normal range
All of the criteria for Bulimia Nervosa are present but binges occur less than twice a week or for a duration of less than 3 months
An individual is of normal body weight and regularly uses inappropriate compensatory behavior after eating small amounts of food
An individual repeatedly chews and spits out (though doesn't swallow) large quantities of food

^ Back to Top ^

Information on Eating Disorders
Please click on one of the topics below to view.
Signs and Symptoms	Steps in Voicing Your Concerns	Glossary