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xv Essential Questions 1. WHAT IS AN EATING DISORDER? Eating disorders (now referred to clinically as feeding and eating disor- ders) are characterized by “a persistent disturbance of eating or eating- related behavior that results in altered consumption or absorption of food and significantly impairs physical or psychosocial functioning” (Diagnos- tic and Statistical Manual (DSM)). According to the Diagnostic and Sta- tistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), there are three primary eating disorders: anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED). There are also some lesser-known eating disorders in the DSM-5 that include pica, rumination, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and other specified feeding and eating dis- orders (OSFED). Also, there are some eating disorders that are not included in the DSM-5, such as orthorexia and diabulimia. For more information about what an eating disorder is, see chapter 1. 2. HOW COMMON ARE EATING DISORDERS? According to the National Eating Disorders Association, more than 70 million individuals, with 30 million of them in the United States alone, struggle with eating disorders. The existence of eating disorders has been more evidently on the rise for many reasons, which will be detailed throughout the text. Additionally, more people are speaking up about their own struggle and the need for support, which has amplified the awareness and recognition of one of the most lethal mental illnesses. Please reference chapter 1 for more specifics about the prevalence of eating disorders.