Vitamin Information Center

Bulimia Nervosa
Synonyms
Eating Disorder
Definition
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by frequently occurring
bouts of binge eating and a permanent preoccupation
with food. Bouts of binge eating are followed
by attempts to compensate the fattening effects of the
food through various behaviors (emesis, abuse of laxatives,
fasting). Repeated vomiting is likely to give rise
to disturbances of body electrolytes and physical complications.
There is often, but not always, a history of an
earlier episode of anorexia nervosa, the interval ranging
from a few months to several years. It occurs most
often at the age of 18 to 20 years.
Cross-References
 Eating Disorders

Atypical Anorexia nervosa
Definition
Atypical anorexia nervosa disorders are disorders that
fulfill some of the features of  anorexia nervosa but in
which the overall clinical picture does not justify that
diagnosis. For instance, one of the key symptoms, such
as amenorrhoea or a marked dread of being fat, may
be absent in the presence of obvious weight loss and
weight-reducing behavior.
Cross-References
 Eating Disorders

Anorexia nervosa
Definition
Persons suffering from anorexia nervosa show selfinflicted,
substantial weight loss and retention of weight
that is too low for their age (BMI < 17.5 kg/m2 in
adults), or insufficient weight gain, accompanied by the
conviction that one is overweight despite being underweight.
Anorexia nervosa occurs most often at the age
of 14.
Cross-References
 Eating Disorders