What is the name of the eating disorder characterized by a disturbed body image and an incessant fear of being fat?

The eating disorder characterized by a disturbed body image and an incessant fear of being fat is known as anorexia nervosa. Individuals with this disorder have a significantly distorted perception of their body weight and shape, leading them to engage in extreme behaviors to prevent weight gain, which can include severe limitations on food intake, excessive exercise, and purging. The intense fear of gaining weight often drives individuals to maintain an unhealthy and often dangerously low body weight.

In contrast, binge eating disorder involves episodes of consuming large quantities of food without compensatory behavior, while bulimia nervosa is marked by cycles of binge eating followed by purging. Obesity, on the other hand, is a condition characterized by excess body fat but does not specifically involve the psychological factors of body image and fear associated with anorexia. Understanding these distinctions is essential in recognizing and properly addressing each condition.