The exact cause of eating disorders is not known. As with other mental health conditions, there may be different causes, such as:

• Genetics. Some people may have genes that increase their risk of developing eating disorders.
• Biology. Biological factors, such as changes in brain chemicals, may play a role in eating disorders.

The development of an eating disorder is possible for anyone. Frequently, eating disorders manifest during adolescence and early adulthood. However, they are possible at any age.

The following factors may contribute to an increased risk of developing an eating disorder:

• A genealogy of kin. There is an increased risk of developing an eating disorder among individuals with parents or siblings who have a history of eating disorders.
• Other disorders of mental health. Other mental health conditions, including trauma, anxiety, melancholy, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, can increase the risk of developing an eating disorder.
• Fasting and malnutrition. A recurring pattern of dieting increases the likelihood of developing an eating disorder, particularly when accompanied by fluctuating body weight during transitions between regimens. Numerous symptoms of an eating disorder are highly suggestible indicators of malnutrition. Brain-related consequences of starvation include anxiety, rigid thought processes, mood swings, and a diminished appetite. This may result in the maintenance of excessively restricted eating or problematic eating behaviors, which can impede the process of reestablishing healthy eating patterns.
• Weight-related history of abuse. Individuals who have experienced bullying or ridicule due to their weight are at an increased risk of developing eating disorders and related problems. This includes individuals whose weight has been subjected to humiliation by family members, healthcare professionals, peers, coaches, or professors.
• Stress is present. Change can be stressful, whether it be attending college, relocating, obtaining a new job, or dealing with family or relationship issues. A further risk factor for developing an eating disorder is stress.

Symptoms differ by the specific eating disorder type. The most prevalent eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder. Eating disorder sufferers may have a wide variety of body types and sizes.

Anorexia

Anorexia, scientifically referred to as anorexia nervosa, is a dietary disorder that has the potential to be fatal. It is characterized by an unhealthy low body weight, an intense dread of acquiring weight, and an unrealistic perception of weight and shape. The extreme measures that anorexics frequently take to control their weight and physique frequently cause significant disruptions to their health and daily lives.

Anorexia may involve the restriction of caloric intake or the elimination of specific dietary categories or groups. It may necessitate the use of additional weight loss techniques, such as excessive exercise, laxative or diet supplement use, or purging after meals. Attempts to lose weight can result in significant health complications, even for individuals who maintain a healthy weight and do not consume excessive amounts of food during the day.

Bulimia

Bulimia, alternatively referred to as bulimia nervosa, is a severe eating disorder that can be potentially fatal. Bulimia is characterized by recurrent episodes of purging after episodes of bingeing. Bulimia can occasionally manifest as abstinence from food for extended durations. Consequently, the desire to excessively consume and then purge is frequently heightened.

Bingeing is characterized by the consumption of an excessive quantity of food in a brief period. Individuals experience a loss of control over their food and an inability to cease during bingeing. Purging is performed after a meal to eliminate calories when motivated by remorse, shame, or an extreme dread of gaining weight. Purging may involve regurgitation, overexertion, fasting for an extended period, or the use of alternative methods like laxatives. Certain individuals alter medication dosages, including insulin quantities, to achieve weight loss.

In addition to being preoccupied with weight and body shape, bulimia is characterized by unforgiving and severe self-evaluations of one's physical appearance.

Binge eating

An episode of binge feasting occurs within a brief period. A compulsive eater experiences a loss of control over their food intake. However, purging does not accompany excessive feasting. During a spree, individuals may consume food more quickly or over their intended amount. It is possible to continue consuming even when not hungry, for an extended period, until one feels uncomfortably filled.

Many individuals experience intense feelings of remorse, disgust, or humiliation following a binge. They might be concerned about accumulating weight. They might attempt to completely abstain from food for extended periods. This results in increased bingeing impulses, establishing a hazardous cycle. An attempt to conceal compulsive eating may involve dining alone out of embarrassment. On average, a new bingeing episode takes place within a span of one week.

Perhaps many individuals with eating disorders do not believe they require treatment. An important characteristic of numerous eating disorders is an individual's failure to recognize the severity of their symptoms. Shame and remorse also frequently deter individuals from seeking assistance.

Encourage an acquaintance or family member who causes you concern to consult a medical professional. While the individual may not be inclined to openly acknowledge a food allergy, one can initiate the conversation by conveying concern and an openness to listen.

The following are red flags that may indicate an eating disorder:

• Avoiding food by skipping meals and snacking or by providing justifications for not eating.
• Without the prescription of a trained medical professional, consuming a very restricted diet.
• Excessive preoccupation with food and healthy eating, particularly when it detracts from customary activities like attending sports banquets, enjoying birthday cake, or dining out.
• Creating one's dishes as opposed to consuming the family's fare.
• Disengaging from customary social engagements.
• Constant and recurring concerns or grievances regarding one's health or weight, accompanied by discussions of weight loss.
• Frequent examination of one's reflection for perceived defects.
• Constantly consuming excessive quantities of food.
• For weight loss, use dietary supplements, laxatives, or herbal products.
• Significantly more active than the typical individual. This includes forgoing leisure days, absences due to illness or injury, and absences from social events or other significant life occasions to exercise.
• Inducing regurgitation by inserting fingertips into the mouth can lead to calluses on the knuckles.
• Instances of tooth enamel loss that could potentially indicate recurrent regurgitation.
• Departing during or immediately following a meal to use the restroom.
• Discuss melancholy, disgust, shame, or remorse about one's eating practices.
• Consuming food in secret.

On your own, it may be challenging to manage or overcome an eating disorder. Treatment initiated at an earlier stage increases the probability of achieving a complete recovery. On occasion, individuals may exhibit problematic eating behaviors that resemble certain symptoms of an eating disorder but fail to satisfy the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder. Nonetheless, these problematic dietary behaviors can have severe consequences for health and well-being.

Seek medical attention if you have distressing eating behaviors that negatively impact your life or health, or if you suspect you may have an eating disorder.

Although prevention of eating disorders is not entirely foolproof, it is possible to cultivate healthy eating habits. A parent can assist their child in reducing the likelihood that he or she will develop an eating disorder.

Adults

To cultivate healthful lifestyle choices and dietary practices:

• Adopt a nutritious diet that is abundant in fruits, vegetables, and whole cereals. Consume in moderation alcohol, salt, sugar, saturated fat, and trans lipids. Prevent drastic dieting. Consult with your healthcare provider or a dietitian to develop a weight loss plan that is tailored to your specific requirements.
• For weight loss, avoid using dietary supplements, laxatives, and herbal products.
• Maintain adequate physical activity. Engage in aerobic activity for a minimum of 150 minutes per week, such as vigorous walking. Select enjoyable activities to increase the likelihood that you will participate in them.
• Seek assistance for mental health concerns, including anxiety, melancholy, and problems with body image and self-esteem.
• To access additional recommendations regarding physical activity, nutrition, and cuisine, please visit health.gov.

Consult a medical professional if you have any concerns regarding your dietary habits. Early treatment can effectively mitigate the progression of the condition.

Children

You can assist your child in developing healthful dietary habits in the following ways:

• Refrain from dieting in the presence of your infant. The culinary habits of the family may have an impact on how children grow up with food. You have the opportunity to educate your infant about the hazards of dieting while sharing meals. Additionally, it enables you to determine whether your child consumes an adequate variety of foods.
• Engage in conversation with your offspring. A considerable number of websites and social media platforms disseminate perilous information, including the misconception that anorexia is merely a way of life and not an actual eating disorder. Certain websites promote adolescent fasting. It is crucial to rectify any erroneous notions of this nature. Discuss with your child the hazardous consequences of selecting unwholesome foods.
• Promote and strengthen a positive body image in your child, irrespective of their physical appearance. Provide your infant with reassurance regarding the diversity of body shapes when discussing self-image. Body criticism should be avoided in the presence of a child. Consensus and affirmation can contribute to the development of robust self-esteem. Additionally, they can foster resilience, which is the capacity to promptly rebound from adversity. The development of these abilities can assist children in navigating the arduous stages of adolescence and early adulthood.
• Seek assistance from your child's healthcare provider. Healthcare providers may have the ability to detect initial indications of an eating disorder during well-child visits. They are permitted to inquire about the eating practices of minors. These visits may consist of body mass index and height and weight percentile assessments, which can notify both you and your child's healthcare provider of significant fluctuations.

The best treatment for eating disorders involves a team approach. The team usually includes your primary care physician, a mental health professional, and sometimes a registered dietitian.

Treatment depends on the specific type of eating disorder. But in general, it includes:

• Learning how to eat healthier.
• Learning how to develop healthy eating habits.
• Guidance on how to achieve a healthy weight if you are underweight or overweight.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Medication, if necessary.
• If your life is at risk, you may need to be hospitalized immediately.
• In addition, PBD in adults and children can be treated without medication using the NEUROFEEDBACK method.

Lifestyle

To increase your chances of success in overcoming your eating disorder:

• Find a psychiatrist who specializes in eating disorders. Treatment is most effective when delivered by a professional with specialized training. Look for a doctor who is experienced in using treatments that have been proven to be effective.
• Follow the treatment plan. Do not miss therapy sessions and try not to deviate from the diet plan. Follow your doctor's instructions for physical activity and exercise.
• Talk to your doctor about appropriate vitamin and mineral supplements. If you are not eating well, chances are your body is not getting all the nutrients it needs, such as vitamin D or iron.
• Resist the urge to weigh yourself. And don't check yourself in the mirror too often. This can only strengthen your desire to maintain the bad habits of the disorder.
• Don't isolate yourself from others. Caring family members and friends who look out for your best interests are the best emotional and moral support.