Definition:
Eating disorders are conditions characterized by severe problems in eating behaviors. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition recognizes two eating disorders: anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
Anorexia nervosa is a condition where a person refuses to maintain a healthy body weight (determined by a person's age and height). Bulimia nervosa, on the other hand, is characterized by a cycle of uncontrolled bingeing behaviors followed by purging (vomiting or the use of laxatives), restricting behaviors (such as fasting), or excessive exercise.
