Eating disorders

Early detection and treatment of eating disorders are important to improve long-term outcomes.

Eating disorders refer to a range of disorders that are characterised by disturbances of eating behaviours such as eating very little, eating excessively, or purging. Core beliefs are often held focussing around food, eating and body image perception.

Learning objectives:

• Recognise the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa.
• Recognise the diagnosis of bulimia nervosa.
• Understand the potential long-term consequences of eating disorders.
• Recognise the common physical and physiological changes that may be seen in eating disorders.
• Know how to assess a patient suspected of having an eating disorder.
• Understand the referral criteria and process for eating disorders.

Acknowledgements

This content was created by Karen Falloon PhD, MBChB, FRNZCGP and Hiran Thabrew, Child psychiatrist, Paediatrician and Senior Lecturer (ADHB and the University of Auckland). It was updated in 2025 by Pulasthi Mithraratne, MBChB, PGDipPaed, FRNZCGP.