Table 1. DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for common eating disorders2 Anorexia nervosa 1. Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height (eg. weight loss leading to maintenance of body weight less than 85% of that expected, or failure to make expected weight gain during period of growth, leading to body weight less than 85% of that expected) 2. Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight 3. Disturbance in the way that body weight, size or shape is experienced, undue influence of body shape and weight on self evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of current low body weight 4. In postmenarchal females, amenorrhoea, ie. the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles Types • Restricting type: during the current episode of anorexia nervosa, the person has not regularly engaged in binge eating or purging behaviour (self induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas) • Binge eating/purging type: ...
