Eating disorders can occur at any time: in childhood, during the teen years, during pregnancy and later in life.
Exploring the relationship between eating disorders and other health conditions, such diabetes, anxiety and depression, and the autism spectrum.
Research indicates that up to 25% of people experiencing an eating disorder are male. However, many experts believe that the number could be much higher, as the stigma surrounding eating disorders in men prevent many from seeking help.
Disordered eating refers to a wide range of abnormal eating behaviours, many of which are shared with diagnosed eating disorders. The main thing differentiating “disordered eating” from an “eating disorder” is the level of severity and frequency of behaviours.
Other eating disorders, such as OSFED and UFED, are not an indication of a less severe eating disorder; simply a different group of symptoms.
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is the sensory based avoidance, fear or restriction of certain foods, due to sensitivities to texture, smell, temperature, or appearance of the food.
Bulimia nervosa is a serious mental illness characterised by recurrent binge-eating episodes, followed by self-induced vomiting, fasting, over-exercising and/or the misuse of laxatives, enemas or diuretics.
Binge eating disorder (BED) is a serious mental illness characterised by regular episodes of binge eating. Binge eating involves eating an excessive amount of food, which may take place in a rapid space of time or may be more of an extended grazing. These episodes can feel chaotic, uncontrollable and highly distressing.