What eating disorder is characterized by excessive food restriction and a distorted body self-perception?

Study for the Swift River Mental Health Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each question includes hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The eating disorder characterized by excessive food restriction and a distorted body self-perception is anorexia. Individuals with anorexia nervosa often engage in extreme dietary restrictions and exhibit an intense fear of gaining weight, even if they are significantly underweight. This disorder can lead to serious health complications due to malnutrition and can severely impact overall well-being. The distorted body image in anorexia may result in the individual perceiving themselves as overweight, despite being at a dangerously low body weight.

In contrast, bulimia is characterized primarily by cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting or excessive exercise. Obesity involves an excess of body fat but does not typically involve restrictive eating behaviors or a distorted self-perception. Orthorexia is characterized by an unhealthy obsession with eating foods that one considers healthy, rather than excessive restriction, making it distinct from anorexia. Thus, anorexia is clearly defined by the combination of food restriction and an altered view of one's body image, which aligns with the elements described in the question.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy