Which condition is characterized by a significant preoccupation with body weight leading to extreme weight loss and a distorted view of body image?

The condition characterized by a significant preoccupation with body weight, leading to extreme weight loss and a distorted view of body image, is indeed anorexia. Individuals with anorexia nervosa often have an intense fear of gaining weight and a profoundly distorted perception of their body size, seeing themselves as overweight even when they are underweight. This drives behaviors aimed at significant weight loss, such as extreme dieting, excessive exercise, and often purging.

The emphasis on body image distortion and the pursuit of extreme weight loss are key aspects of anorexia, distinguishing it from other conditions. For example, while bulimia involves episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, it does not typically encompass the same level of extreme weight loss or the pervasive body image distortion seen in anorexia. Body Dysmorphic Disorder, on the other hand, involves an obsessive focus on perceived flaws in appearance but does not necessarily involve significant weight loss or restrictive eating behaviors. Major Depressive Disorder may impact appetite and weight, but it does not inherently involve the intense preoccupation with body weight and distorted image associated with anorexia.