Eating Disorders

An eating disorder is a mental disorder defined by abnormal eating habits that negatively affect a person's physical or mental health.

What is an Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders are a type of serious mental health condition characterized by severe disturbances in eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions.

How is Anorexia Nervosa Diagnosed?

Health Risks of Binge Eating Disorder

What is Binge Eating Disorder?

Signs and Symptoms of Orthorexia

What Causes Binge Eating Disorder?

Lifestyle Changes for Indigestion (Dyspepsia)

What is Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder?

Binge-Eating Disorder Treatment

Epidemiology of Orthorexia Nervosa

What is a Binge-Eating Disorder?

Anorexia Nervosa Signs and Symptoms

Night Eating Disorder / Syndrome

Managing Indigestion (Dyspepsia)

What Does a Diagnosis of Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) Mean?

Is Anorexia a Metabolic Disorder?

Bulimia Nervosa Signs and Symptoms

What is Rumination Disorder / Syndrome?

Anorexia Nervosa Complications

Diagnostic Criteria for Orthorexia

Uncommon Causes for Indigestion

Binge-Eating Disorder Signs and Symptoms

Latest Eating Disorders News and Research

Germany launches new training to help doctors recognize eating disorders in men

The iSMEsH study aims to combat stigma around men's eating disorders, training healthcare providers to improve diagnosis and treatment in primary care settings.

14 Oct 2025

Who is really at risk of eating disorders? New UK study reveals overlooked groups

This large school-based study of over 7,400 UK adolescents found a high prevalence of eating disorder symptoms, particularly among girls, gender-diverse youth and those living in deprived areas. The findings challenge stereotypes, revealing that EDs significantly affect ethnic minority boys and economically disadvantaged groups.

13 Oct 2025

Parental teasing and criticism fuel body image issues later in life

Verbal influences from parents on weight are key predictors of body image dissatisfaction in children, surpassing the effects of observed behaviors.

8 Oct 2025

Clean eating trends on Instagram may subtly harm body satisfaction

Findings indicate foodie Instagram content supports mood, whereas clean eating posts may lead to lower body satisfaction and potential eating disorder risks.

24 Sep 2025

Climate change fuels spread of neurological virus in Europe

Growing numbers of West Nile virus infection cases, fueled by climate change, are sparking fears among citizens and healthcare providers in Europe. A Clinical Insight in the European Journal of Internal Medicine, published by Elsevier, aims to raise awareness and equip medical professionals with the knowledge needed to recognize and manage this emerging disease to avoid further spread and serious health consequences, especially for vulnerable individuals.

23 Sep 2025

Medicaid-insured kids with anorexia face longer hospital stays

Medicaid-insured kids with anorexia hospitalized for medical stabilization remain in hospital longer than peers with private insurance despite similar illness severity, according to a study from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago published in the Journal of Eating Disorders.

9 Sep 2025

Adolescent anorexia linked to higher unemployment and lower earnings

Anorexia is a serious mental health disorder that typically begins during adolescence. A study, conducted by the Research Unit of Population Health and Oulu Business School at the University of Oulu, examined how anorexia in adolescence affects labor market position in adulthood compared with peers.

29 Aug 2025

Illinois researchers highlight most effective nutritional approaches for GI distress in cancer care

Many modern cancer treatments are highly effective at reducing or eliminating tumors, but they can also cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms that impact patients' quality of life or lead to discontinuation of treatment.

28 Aug 2025

Online cognitive behavioral therapy shows promise for treating bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa (BN), or bulimia, is a mental health disorder characterized by binge eating and a fear of gaining weight, which drives people to try and avoid weight gain, usually by compensatory (vomiting etc.).

27 Aug 2025

GIPR signaling opens brain’s gate for GLP-1 weight-loss therapy

A Cell Metabolism study reveals that GIPR signaling in oligodendrocytes enhances brain access and weight-loss efficacy of GLP-1R agonists by increasing vascular permeability and targeting appetite-regulating neurons. This mechanism may explain why GIPR/GLP-1R co-agonists outperform single-agent therapies.

14 Aug 2025

New treatment shows greater success in reducing binge eating among veterans

Researchers from University of California San Diego have found that a novel treatment called regulation of cues combined with behavioral weight loss (ROC+BWL) was more effective than standard cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in reducing binge eating among veterans with overweight or obesity.

4 Aug 2025

Outpatient therapy offers hope for young eating disorder patients after hospitalization

Eating disorders affect more than 5% of young people, and they have one of the highest mortality rates of any mental illness.

28 Jul 2025

Uncovering origins of autism, depression, Parkinson's in fetal brain

The origin of some neuropsychiatric diseases, such as autism, bipolar disorder, or depression, and certain neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, can be found in very early stages of brain formation in the fetus. That is, earlier than previously recognized, according to a study by the Hospital del Mar Research Institute and Yale University, published in Nature Communications.

26 Jul 2025

Cannabis and psychedelics rated most effective for symptom relief by eating disorder patients

A pioneering international survey of people living with eating disorders has found that cannabis and psychedelics, such as 'magic mushrooms' or LSD, were best rated as alleviating symptoms by respondents who self-medicated with the non-prescribed drugs.

22 Jul 2025

Gut-brain axis in eating disorders offers new treatment potential

Understanding the gut-brain axis is key to addressing eating disorders. This study highlights microbiota's influence and emerging therapeutic approaches.

16 Jul 2025

Ultra-processed foods threaten brain health in kids and teens, review warns

Children, adolescents, and unborn babies exposed to high levels of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) face increased risks of impaired brain development, cognitive deficits, and long-term mental health challenges. The review underscores how UPF-driven changes in reward pathways, nutrient deficits, inflammation, and the gut–brain axis can have lasting impacts across generations.

13 Jul 2025

Researchers show cannabis dependence drives links to psychiatric disorders

Research uncovers genetic connections between cannabis addiction and psychiatric disorders, urging a reevaluation of cannabis legalization and treatment.

2 Jun 2025

MRI scans reveal why young women face higher risk for eating disorders

Advanced high-field MRI reveals distinct microstructural changes in hypothalamic subregions of young women with anorexia nervosa and obesity. These alterations may underlie increased vulnerability to eating disorders and point toward new neurobiological treatment targets.

26 May 2025

Early vitamin D deficiency increases risk of ADHD, schizophrenia and autism

Newborn babies with a vitamin D deficiency have a higher chance of later developing mental disorders such as ADHD, schizophrenia and autism, a major study involving The University of Queensland has found.

14 May 2025

Trump team faces key legal decision that could put mental health parity in peril

The Trump administration must soon make a decision that will affect millions of Americans' ability to access and afford mental health and addiction care.

9 May 2025