Eating disorders refer to a group of psychiatric conditions involving serious and chronic problems related to eating habits and body image. These disorders can affect physical, emotional, and social health. Eating disorders usually involve obsessive thoughts about food intake, weight control, and body image. They may arise from various causes but are generally the result of an interaction of biological, genetic, psychological, and social factors.

Common eating disorders include:

Anorexia Nervosa: The person severely restricts food intake because of intense fear of excessive weight loss or maintaining a specific body weight. Individuals with anorexia nervosa usually have significant weight loss and become extremely thin while trying to maintain their weight.
Bulimia Nervosa: Involves binge eating (consuming excessive amounts of food within a specific period) followed by compensatory behaviours such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or fasting to control the excess calories.
Binge Eating Disorder: Involves consuming large amounts of food within a specific period without subsequent compensatory behaviours such as vomiting or excessive exercise.

These eating disorders should usually be assessed and diagnosed by a specialist. Treatment may include psychotherapy, nutritional counselling, and medication when necessary. It is also important to address the psychological and emotional aspects of these disorders, as psychological factors often contribute to their development.