Understanding Obesity and Anorexia: A Comparison of Eating Disorders

Obesity and anorexia are two serious and very different eating disorders.

Obesity is a medical condition in which a person has a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. It is a major risk factor for several chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. Anorexia** is a serious eating disorder characterised by excessive restriction of food intake due to an excessive fear of gaining weight or a lack of interest in food.

Both conditions can have serious physical and mental health consequences.

People with obesity may experience:

- Sleep apnea

- Diabetes

- Joint pain

- Infertility

- Heart disease

- Depression and anxiety

People with anorexia may experience:

- Starvation and malnutrition

- Dehydration

- Electrolyte imbalances

- Skin and hair damage

- Bone loss

- Infertility

- Depression and anxiety