Anorexia Nervosa: What is an example of a nutrition disorder?

October 26, 2025 •

4 min read

With an estimated mortality rate higher than most other psychiatric conditions, anorexia nervosa serves as a crucial example when asking, 'What is an example of a nutrition disorder?'. This serious eating disorder goes far beyond a simple diet, involving severe calorie restriction, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a profoundly distorted body image.

Quick Summary

Anorexia nervosa is a severe eating disorder characterized by extreme weight loss due to self-imposed starvation. The condition stems from a complex interplay of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors, leading to dangerous malnutrition and health complications affecting all organ systems. Comprehensive medical and psychological care is essential for recovery.

Key Points

Definition: Anorexia nervosa is a severe eating disorder and a classic example of a nutritional disorder, characterized by self-starvation and intense fear of weight gain.
Core Drivers: It is rooted in a complex combination of genetic, psychological, and social factors, not simply food or dieting.
Widespread Impact: The resulting malnutrition can cause serious, sometimes irreversible, damage to virtually every organ system, including the heart, bones, and brain.
Distorted Perception: A key feature is a distorted body image, where an individual perceives themselves as overweight even when they are dangerously thin.
Treatment Approach: Effective treatment requires a multidisciplinary team to address both the medical and psychological aspects through nutritional therapy, psychotherapy, and medical supervision.
Refeeding Syndrome: A significant risk during the initial treatment of severe cases is refeeding syndrome, a dangerous metabolic shift requiring careful medical monitoring.

What is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder and mental health condition in which an individual limits their calorie intake to an extreme. The defining characteristics are a significantly low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of one's own weight and shape. Despite being severely underweight or emaciated, a person with anorexia often continues to believe they are overweight. The condition frequently develops during adolescence and is more common in females, but it can affect anyone.

There are two main subtypes of anorexia nervosa:

Restricting type: Individuals lose weight primarily by severely restricting food intake, fasting, and/or exercising excessively. They do not engage in binge-eating or compensatory purging behaviors.
Binge-eating/purging type: Individuals restrict their food intake but also regularly engage in episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors. Purging can include self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.

The Causes Behind Anorexia Nervosa

The precise cause of anorexia nervosa is unknown, but a combination of factors is believed to be responsible. It is not a choice, but a complex condition rooted in a variety of triggers.

Genetic Factors: Research indicates a strong genetic component to the disorder, with a higher likelihood of it occurring in individuals who have relatives with an eating disorder. Genetic traits related to perfectionism and neuroticism may increase risk.
Psychological Factors: Many people with anorexia exhibit certain personality traits, such as obsessive-compulsive tendencies, perfectionism, and high sensitivity. Underlying issues like low self-esteem, trauma, anxiety, and depression are often linked to the condition.
Social Factors: Modern Western culture's intense focus on thinness and societal pressures play a significant role. Peer pressure, bullying, and participation in activities like ballet or modeling can also increase the risk.

Recognizing the Symptoms: Physical, Behavioral, and Mental

Anorexia nervosa has a wide range of symptoms that impact the body and mind. Early detection is critical, but symptoms are often hidden by individuals with the disorder.

Physical Indicators

Extreme weight loss
Fatigue and weakness
Dizziness or fainting
Constipation and stomach pain
Feeling cold constantly due to poor circulation
Hair thinning or loss, or the growth of fine, downy hair (lanugo) on the body
Dry, yellowing skin
Irregular or absent menstrual periods (amenorrhea)
Bone density loss leading to osteoporosis

Behavioral and Emotional Signs

Excessive exercise, even when injured or ill
Preoccupation with food, calories, and dieting
Avoiding eating with others or making excuses to skip meals
Wearing baggy or layered clothing to hide weight loss
Lying about food intake
Withdrawal from social activities
Irritability and mood swings
Distorted body image, often viewing oneself as fat despite being underweight

The Serious Consequences of Anorexia Nervosa

If left untreated, the severe malnutrition from anorexia nervosa can have devastating short- and long-term health consequences that affect virtually every organ system.

Long-Term Health Effects

Cardiovascular damage: Weakened heart muscle, abnormal heart rhythms, low blood pressure, and potential heart failure.
Bone loss: Significant loss of bone density (osteoporosis), especially concerning for adolescents who may never reach peak bone mass.
Gastrointestinal issues: Bloating, constipation, and other digestive problems.
Endocrine disruption: Hormonal imbalances affecting menstruation and fertility, which may become permanent if left untreated for too long.
Neurological problems: Nerve damage, seizures, difficulty with concentration and memory, and structural changes in the brain.
Kidney problems: Electrolyte imbalances and potential kidney damage.
Dental decay: Erosion of tooth enamel from self-induced vomiting.

Anorexia vs. Other Eating Disorders

Anorexia nervosa shares similarities with other eating disorders but has distinct diagnostic criteria based on symptoms, motivations, and impact on weight.


Feature	Anorexia Nervosa	Bulimia Nervosa	Binge-Eating Disorder	Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Core Behavior	Severe food restriction, self-starvation, and/or purging.	Binge-eating episodes followed by compensatory purging behaviors.	Recurrent binge-eating episodes without compensatory behaviors.	Avoids food due to texture, taste, or fear of choking, not weight.
Body Weight	Significantly underweight (low BMI).	Typically maintains a normal weight or is slightly overweight.	Often overweight or obese.	Can be normal, underweight, or fail to gain weight.
Motivation	Intense fear of gaining weight; distorted body image.	Fear of weight gain; preoccupation with weight and shape.	Feeling out of control while eating; guilt or shame afterwards.	Sensory issues or fear of negative consequences (e.g., vomiting).

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of anorexia nervosa typically involves a comprehensive evaluation of physical and mental health.

The Diagnostic Process

Physical Exam: Measurement of height and weight, checking vital signs, and looking for physical signs of malnutrition.
Lab Tests: Blood and urine tests to check for electrolyte imbalances, anemia, and organ function.
Mental Health Evaluation: Discussion of thoughts, feelings, eating habits, and a screening questionnaire.
Other Studies: X-rays or EKGs to check for heart and bone issues.

Comprehensive Treatment Approaches

Nutrition Therapy: Focuses on restoring healthy eating patterns and achieving a normal weight under medical supervision to prevent complications like refeeding syndrome.
Psychotherapy: Several therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Family-Based Therapy (FBT), address the underlying psychological issues driving the disorder.
Medication: Antidepressants or other medications may be used to treat co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety or depression.
Hospitalization: Necessary in severe cases involving severe malnutrition, life-threatening complications, or suicidal risk.

Conclusion: The Path to Recovery

Anorexia nervosa is a life-threatening nutritional disorder that demonstrates the profound connection between diet, mental health, and physical well-being. It is a complex condition that requires a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, emphasizing both medical stabilization and psychological healing. While recovery is a challenging journey, it is achievable, and the earlier an individual receives help, the better the long-term prognosis. Understanding the severity and scope of this condition is the first step toward compassion and effective intervention. For more information on eating disorders, visit the Mayo Clinic's detailed guide on Anorexia nervosa.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is fundamentally a mental health disorder driven by a profound and distorted fear of gaining weight. While low body weight is a key diagnostic factor, not everyone with anorexia is visibly underweight, and the psychological component is central to the condition.

The causes are complex and multi-faceted, involving genetic predispositions, psychological traits like perfectionism, and environmental or social pressures. It is not a matter of choice or vanity.

Anorexia causes severe malnutrition that impacts nearly all organ systems. Health issues include heart damage, loss of bone density (osteoporosis), hormonal imbalances, kidney and bowel problems, and neurological complications.

Yes, full recovery is possible, but it requires comprehensive, long-term treatment. Early intervention significantly improves the chances of a successful recovery and can help reverse or mitigate long-term health damage.

Refeeding syndrome is a potentially fatal metabolic complication that can occur when a severely malnourished person begins eating again. The sudden shift in metabolism can cause dangerous fluctuations in electrolytes, which can lead to cardiac and respiratory problems.

While both involve preoccupation with body weight, a key difference is weight status and behavior. Anorexia involves severe calorie restriction and low body weight, while bulimia is characterized by a cycle of binge eating followed by compensatory purging, with individuals typically maintaining a normal body weight.

Common treatments include nutrition rehabilitation to restore a healthy weight, various forms of psychotherapy (such as CBT or Family-Based Therapy), and sometimes medications to treat co-existing conditions like depression. Severe cases may require hospitalization.