Anorexia Nervosa - the person has an intense fear of gaining weight and restricts food or overexercises to manage this fear

Bulimia Nervosa - The person eats a large quantity  and then tries to rid themselves of the food by throwing up 

Binge-Eating Disorder - the patient keeps eating large amounts in a short time typically while not being hungry

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder - a condition where the patient limits the amount or type of food eaten. 

Social isolation has been shown to affect an individual's physical and emotional well-being deleteriously. Those who are socially isolated have a higher mortality rate in general as compared to individuals who have established social relationships 

 Parental influences the development of eating behaviours of children. This influence is manifested and shaped by a variety of diverse factors, such as familial genetic predisposition, dietary choices as dictated by cultural or ethnic preferences, the parents' own body shape and eating patterns, the degree of involvement and expectations of their children's eating behaviour, as well as the interpersonal relationship of parent and child

Peer Pressure was seen to be a significant contributor to body image concerns and attitudes towards eating among subjects in their teens and early twenties

From a Western perspective, there's a strong focus on being thin, which is often highlighted in the media. When children feel pressure from the outside to have the "perfect" body, as shown in the media, it can lead to them being unhappy with their own body, developing body image issues, or even facing serious conditions like body dysmorphic disorder and eating disorders.

Drastic Changes in Weight: One of the most visible signs of an eating disorder is significant weight loss or gain. In cases of anorexia nervosa, individuals may lose a dangerous amount of weight due to extreme calorie restriction. In binge-eating disorder, individuals may gain weight rapidly due to excessive eating without compensatory behaviours like purging.

Obsession with Food, Calories, and Dieting: People with eating disorders often become preoccupied with food, calories, and dieting. They may spend excessive time planning meals, reading food labels, and discussing food. This obsession usually extends to strict food rules, such as avoiding entire food groups or refusing to eat certain "bad" foods.

Avoidance of Meals and Social Situations Involving Food: Individuals may start skipping meals or eating alone to hide their eating habits. They might make excuses to avoid eating in public or attending social events where food is present. This behaviour is often driven by a desire to maintain control over their food intake or to avoid judgement from others.

Distorted Body Image: A hallmark of eating disorders is a distorted perception of one's body. Despite being underweight, someone with anorexia nervosa may see themselves as overweight. This body dysmorphia fuels the desire to lose more weight or engage in harmful behaviours like excessive exercise or purging.

Intense Fear of Gaining Weight - A profound fear of weight gain is common in many eating disorders. This fear drives behaviours such as extreme dieting, purging, or compulsive exercise, all aimed at preventing weight gain. Even slight fluctuations in weight can cause significant distress. 

Mood Swings and Emotional Instability -  Eating disorders can lead to significant emotional changes, including mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression. The physical effects of malnutrition or binge eating can exacerbate these feelings, creating a vicious cycle of negative emotions and disordered eating behaviours.

Withdrawal from Social Activities - Individuals struggling with eating disorders often withdraw from social interactions and activities they once enjoyed. This isolation can be a result of the physical effects of the disorder, fear of judgment, or an overwhelming focus on maintaining disordered eating behaviours.

Extremely restricted eating

Extreme thinness (emaciation)

A relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a normal or healthy weight

Intense fear of gaining weight

Distorted body image; a self-esteem that is heavily influenced by perceptions of body weight and shape, or a denial of the seriousness of low body weight 

Chronically inflamed and sore throat

Swollen salivary glands in the neck and jaw area

Worn tooth enamel and increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth as a result of exposure to stomach acid

Acid reflux disorder and other gastrointestinal problems

Intestinal distress and irritation from laxative abuse

Severe dehydration from purging of fluids

Electrolyte imbalance (too low or too high levels of sodium, calcium, potassium, and other minerals), which can lead to stroke or heart attack 

Eating unusually large amounts of food in a specific amount of time, such as 2 hours

Eating even when you're full or not hungry

Eating fast during binge episodes

Eating until you're uncomfortably full

Eating alone or in secret to avoid embarrassment

Feeling distressed, ashamed, or guilty about your eating

Frequently dieting, possibly without weight loss 

Dramatic restriction of types or amount of food eaten

Lack of appetite or interest in food

Dramatic weight loss

Upset stomach, abdominal pain, or other gastrointestinal issues with no other known cause

Limited range of preferred foods that becomes even more limited (“picky eating” that gets progressively worse)