Eating Disorders Types

by Rachel Wisniewski

Do you (or a friend) struggle with one of these eating disorders types? Do you exercise excessively after eating too much? Do you know a friend who is struggling with her self-esteem and often decides to raid the fridge rather then face the issues? Do you obsessively count calories in fear of gaining weight? Although none of these things alone mean you have an eating disorder they can become one of the three main eating disorders types.

The issue of eating disorders continues to grow among teenage girls. Pressure from magazines, television, and peers often drive young women to obsess over their bodies. One way to help curb the eating disorder trend is to educate teens and to encourage those suffering to take comfort in what Jesus tells us in the Bible.

Following are the three main eating disorders types and a brief explanation of each of them.

Anorexia Nervosa

In Greek Anorexia means “lack of appetite.” Those suffering from Anorexia are often low in body weight. They also suffer with image distortion, believing they are bigger then they actually are. Anorexics have an extreme fear of gaining weight. Anorexia is considered a mental illness.

Free eBook: Starved - Mercy for Eating Disorders

Bulimia Nervosa

A person suffering from Bulimia binges; eating a lot of food at once and then Purges by taking laxatives, throwing up, or excessive exercising. Bulimia is often connected to Anorexia in that it is considered a mental illness. Bulimics may be underweight however most are of average weight which makes the illness hard to spot.

Binge Eating

This disorder is marked by impulsive eating habits. The binger will stuff themselves full to the point they are very uncomfortable. Think of it as excessive overeating. There is no purging involved with Binge Eating however the person suffering may go on extreme diets post binge because they have so much anxiety over the weight gained during a binge. People of all shapes and sizes suffer from Binge Eating.

Eating Disorders Are Turning to Food (or lack of food) to Fill An Emotional Void.

Jesus wants us to come to him when we are feeling troubled. He says in Mathew 11:28 “come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”

The Bible also tells us that it is important to not put so much emphasis on our outward appearance. In Mathew 6 Jesus says "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

Jesus wants us to find comfort in knowing that our bodies are made by him. He wants us to treat them with respect rather then destroying them with disordered eating.

You Are Not Alone

If you are dealing with an eating disorder, or you are watching a friend go through this battle, we want you to know that you are not alone.

We would love to pray for you and support you. So send us your prayer requests here.

You can also share your story below.

Other Articles on Eating Disorders

Anorexia in Teenage Girls

Anorexia Tips - Getting Help!

National Statistics for Anorexia with Charts

Anorexia symptoms - signs of anorexia

Recommended Reading

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