Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, distorted body image, and excessive dieting and exercise to reduce or control body weight. People with this condition severely limit their caloric intake. It usually begins between the pre-teen years and young adulthood and occurs more frequently in women. Untreated anorexia nervosa can lead to severe, life-threatening malnutrition. [1] [2] Compared to other mental disorders, anorexia has one of the highest mortality and suicide rates.[3]
What is anorexia nervosa?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder marked by an intense fear of weight gain, distorted body image, and extreme dieting and exercise, which lead to severe caloric restriction. It typically begins in the preteen or young adult years, is more common in women, and can result in life-threatening malnutrition if untreated.