Eating disorders encompass a range of conditions characterised by abnormal eating habits and severe distress about body weight or shape. The main types of eating disorders are:

• Anorexia Nervosa:

Involves extreme food restriction and an intense fear of gaining weight. It is often accompanied by a distorted body image.

• Bulimia Nervosa:

This is characterised by binge eating followed by purging behaviours such as vomiting, excessive exercise or fasting to compensate for overeating.

• Binge Eating Disorder (BED):

Involves recurring episodes of uncontrollable eating, typically consuming large amounts of food in a short period, without purging behaviours.

• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID):

Formerly known as selective eating disorder, ARFID involves avoiding certain foods or restricting intake, leading to inadequate nutrition and significant weight loss or failure to gain weight in children.

• Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED):

Includes eating disorders that don’t fit neatly into the other categories but still cause significant distress or impairment, such as atypical anorexia nervosa or purging disorder.

• Orthorexia Nervosa:

Obsession with healthy eating to the point where it becomes restrictive and interferes with daily life.

Each type varies in symptoms, severity, and specific behaviours, but all can have serious physical and psychological consequences if left untreated.