What is anorexia nervosa primarily characterized by?

Anorexia nervosa is primarily characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, which leads individuals to engage in extreme weight loss behaviors. This fear often results in a distorted body image where the individual perceives themselves as overweight, even when they may be significantly underweight. The behaviors may include severe caloric restriction, excessive exercise, and other methods to avoid gaining weight to the point of compromising one’s physical health. Understanding this core characteristic is vital for recognizing the disorder and addressing the psychological factors involved in treatment and recovery.

The other options describe behaviors or characteristics associated with different eating disorders or conditions. For example, an obsession with gaining muscle is more closely related to body dysmorphic disorders or certain athletic-related behaviors, while regular binge eating followed by purging is a hallmark of bulimia nervosa. A general disinterest in food, although it may be seen in some cases, does not encompass the primary fear and behaviors associated with anorexia nervosa.