Too often, anorexia is taken more seriously than other eating disorders. Many people are morbidly obese for the same reason an anorexic person might be dangerously thin, but the former group is labeled as lazy and gluttonous. Most people fail to realize that there are many different types of eating disorders, amirite?

Actually anorexia, along with bulimia and Ednos are also caused by genetic makeup and brain chemicals. These eating disorders aren't caused solely by a need to be thin, but other factors like perfectionism, mental disorders, stress and anxiety. Its not "only an eating disorder." its a deadly disease.

I think what they mean is that even if it's caused by genes and chemicals anorexia nervosa still an eating disorder, and can only be called such. It's not a body type or weight, it's a disease. On the other hand, obesity is not an eating disorder, but it can be the effect of one (Compulsive Over-Eating).

When I had an eating disorder it was because I felt I wasn't good enough for other people and by looking thinner, they would accept me more. So sue me, I thought they had something to do with aesthetics.

@notmuchnotmuch I'm speaking more in terms of anorexia vs. a binge eating disorder rather than anorexia vs. obesity in general. What someone looks like is of course not a definitive indicator as to whether or not someone has an eating disorder (although the post is also about the difference between the assumptions people make about extremely thin individuals and the assumptions people make about extremely overweight individuals).

Everytime I have ever learned about or heard of someone having an eating disorder, it was attributed, at least in small part, to thinking self worth was not high enough.

I know what you mean. I agree also. I'm just saying that I think a lot of it has to do with people's assumptions that all obese people are the way they are for reasons they could have controlled. And second anon, you're right. I didn't mean only an eating disorder as in it is not a big deal. I wasn't downplaying it by any means.

Another reason why I think obesity isn't considered an eating disorder at first glance or whatever is because people associate eating disorders with achieving perfection in appearance.

"people associate eating disorders with achieving perfection in appearance."

I know no one who thinks (at least to the extent of my knowledge) that way >_>

Yeah. I understand!

We had this lady come into my health class for a project who suffered from being anorexic. She didn't do it to look more "beautiful" or that she "hated" herself, she KNEW she was thin already, but, it's how she coped with all the things going in her life. Her mother died and she had to take over being the woman in the house taking care of the kids so she went to starving herself and became obessed with excersizing.

I didn't say it always had nothing to do with aesthetics, I say it played a small role. The bigger picture was that you didn't feel good enough. Idk it's different for everybody... sorry if it seemed like I was making assumptions. I just hate the misconception that everybody with an eating disorder is just trying to be pretty because then you get advice like "you can do it the healthy way" when that's really not what it's about.

Looking beautiful often isn't involved at all, and when it is, it plays a small role.

Actually that's a good point; I also know a lot of people who make that association, although it's totally wrong. Looking perfect may be a contributing factor, but its hardly the most important characteristic of eating disorders.

I agree with you completely. There's a difference between trying to look perfect and disliking/hating yourself though.

Maybe I'm missing something but how is this a 'but' to my post?

Obesity gets just as much negative/serious attention as anorexia, just in a more public way, rather than a medical way.

My point was that binge eating disorders are not taken as seriously (or often even considered) as compared to anorexia.

Anorexia

Which eating disorder?