Eating disorders are grouped into three categories: refusing to maintain a minimally normal body weight (anorexia nervosa), bingeing and purging (bulimia nervosa), and bingeing without purging (binge eating disorder). Bingeing is the rapid consumption of large amounts of food in a short period of time accompanied by a feeling of loss of control. Purging is self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives or enemas.

Eating disorders are far more common among women, especially younger women, than among men.

Last full review/revision February 2003