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Eating disorders

A woman with an eating disorder eats too much, too little, or causes herself to throw up food. Eating disorders can include:

• Anorexia nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa
• Binge eating disorder

More information on Eating disorders

Read more from womenshealth.gov

• Anorexia Nervosa Fact Sheet - This fact sheet explains anorexia's causes, signs and symptoms, and its effects on the body. It also provides information for pregnant women who have or have had anorexia.
  http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/anorexia-nervosa.cfm
• Binge Eating Disorder Fact Sheet - This fact sheet provides information on binge eating disorder, including potential causes, associated risks, and possible treatments.
  http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/binge-eating-disorder.cfm
• Bulimia Nervosa Fact Sheet - This fact sheet answers common questions about bulimia nervosa, including its causes, warning signs, complications, and available treatment options.
  http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/bulimia-nervosa.cfm

Explore other publications and websites

• 50 Ways to Lose the 3 Ds: Dieting, Drive for Thinness, and Body Dissatisfaction (Copyright © National Eating Disorders Association) - This tip sheet offers advice about how you can improve your body image and make sure your children grow up with a positive body image, too.
  http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/uploads/file/information-resources/50-Ways-to-Lose-the-3Ds.pdf
• Binge Eating Disorder - This fact sheet describes the symptoms, causes, complications, and treatment of binge eating disorder, and gives a profile of those at risk for the disorder.
  http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/binge.htm
• Compulsive Exercise (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) - This publication provides information on compulsive exercise, its warning signs, and the serious effects it can have on a teenager's health.
  http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/compulsive_exercise.html
• Consequences of Eating Disorders (Copyright © Academy for Eating Disorders) - This Web page describes the psychosocial and medical consequences of eating disorders over the long term. It has information about what happens to the different functions of your body, and other conditions that people with eating disorders are likely to have.
  http://www.aedweb.org/Consequences_of_ED/1454.htm
• Diagnoses of Eating Disorders (Copyright © Academy for Eating Disorders) - This Web page describes the warning signs of various eating disorders and discusses how they are diagnosed. If you are worried about a friend or family member, this site can help you find out if certain behaviors could indicate an eating disorder.
  http://www.aedweb.org/Eating_Disorder_Diagnoses.htm
• Eating Disorders - This detailed booklet describes symptoms, causes, and treatments of eating disorders. It also includes information on getting help and coping.
  http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/summary.shtml
• Eating Disorders (Copyright © American Psychological Association) - This fact sheet describes anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, as well as who suffers from them and how a psychologist can help.
  http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/eating.aspx
• Eating Disorders (Copyright © Mayo Foundation) - This Web page describes the signs, symptoms, and causes of eating disorders, and gives information about treatments.
  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eating-disorders/DS00294
• GirlsHealth.gov: Your Feelings - We have created the GirlsHealth.gov section to help adolescent girls (ages 10-16) learn more about some of the unique health issues and social situations they will encounter during the teen years. The feelings section provides resources and links to useful information to help you prepare to deal with some of the issues your girls will likely face.
  http://www.girlshealth.gov/feelings/
• How to Afford Appropriate Treatment for an Eating Disorder: A Guide for Patients & Their Families (Copyright © National Eating Disorder Association) - This publication provides detailed information about health insurance, where to find help for eating disorders, and where to get financial assistance for treatment.
  http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/uploads/file/information-resources/Eating%20Disorders%20Survival%20Guide%20revised%2012_21_2008.pdf
• How to Help a Friend with Eating and Body Image Issues (Copyright © National Eating Disorders Association) - This publication describes how you can help a friend who has a poor body image or an eating disorder.
  http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/uploads/file/information-resources/How%20To%20Help%20a%20Friend%20with%20Eating%20and%20Body%20Image%20Issues.pdf
• Mental Health Services Locator - This website will help you locate mental health treatment facilities and support services in your state.
  http://store.samhsa.gov/mhlocator
• Orthorexia Nervosa (Copyright © National Eating Disorders Association) - This publication explains the symptoms of and treatment for orthorexia.
  http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/uploads/file/Orthorexia%20Nervosa.pdf
• Risk Factors of Eating Disorders (Copyright © Academy for Eating Disorders) - This fact sheet discusses the risk factors that might make someone more likely to develop an eating disorder, such as gender, ethnicity, weight, and genetic factors.
  http://www.aedweb.org/Risk_Factors.htm
• Treatment (Copyright © Academy for Eating Disorders) - This fact sheet discusses different treatment options available for people with eating disorders. It includes information about the initial assessment, psychological treatments, medical treatments, and more.
  http://www.aedweb.org/Treatment/1533.htm
• What's Going On With Me? Evaluating Eating and Exercising Habits (Copyright © National Eating Disorders Association) - This fact sheet explains the difference between regular and "disordered" eating. It identifies behaviors that are common in people with disordered eating, and explains how these behaviors can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being.
  http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/nedaDir/files/documents/handouts/WhatGoOn.pdf

Connect with other organizations

• Academy for Eating Disorders
  http://www.aedweb.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
• American Psychological Association
  http://www.apa.org/
• Eating Disorders Anonymous
  http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/
• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
  http://www.anad.org/
• National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance
  http://naafa.org/
• National Eating Disorders Association
  http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
• National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, HHS
  http://www.nimh.nih.gov
• Overeaters Anonymous
  http://www.oa.org/
• T.H.E. (Treatment, Healing, Education) Center for Disordered Eating
  http://www.thecenternc.org/

Content last updated March 29, 2010.

Resources last updated March 29, 2010.

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