An eating disorder is a mental disorder defined by abnormal eating habits that negatively affect a person's physical or mental health.They include binge eating disorder, where people eat a large amount in a short period of time; anorexia nervosa, where people eat very little due to a fear of gaining weight and thus have a low body weight; bulimia nervosa, where people eat a lot and then try to rid themselves of the food; pica, where people eat non-food items; rumination syndrome, where people regurgitate food; avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), where people have a lack of interest in food; and a group of other specified feeding or eating disorders.Anxiety disorders, depression and substance abuse are common among people with eating disorders. These disorders do not include obesity
The causes of eating disorders are not clear, although both biological and environmental factors appear to play a role. Eating disorders affect about 12 percent of dancers. Cultural idealization of thinness is believed to contribute to some eating disordersIndividuals who have experienced sexual abuse are also more likely to develop eating disorders.Some disorders such as pica and rumination disorder occur more often in people with intellectual disabilities.Only one eating disorder can be diagnosed at a given time.