Definition
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by a significantly low body weight (for age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health) generally obtained and maintained by means of severely restricted food intake. Additionally, the individual must display an intense fear of weight gain and a distorted self-evaluation of his or her weight and shape. While some individuals with anorexia nervosa will acknowledge being thin, they often do not recognize the severity of their illness or the serious medical risk of their malnourished condition. Two subtypes of anorexia nervosa exist: binge-eating/purging type, defined by recurrent episodes of binge eating or purging behavior (e.g., self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, and/or enemas) in the prior 3 months, and restricting type distinguished by sole reliance on dieting, fasting, and/or exercising to maintain low weight. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5),...
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References and Further Reading
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DeWitt, J., Attia, E. (2017). Anorexia Nervosa. In: Wade, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Feeding and Eating Disorders. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-104-6_51
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-104-6_51
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