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Atypical Anorexia - What It Is and What Its Potential Impact Can Be
Olivia Davis
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Diets Premium Expert • 21.03.2026
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Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian:
This article has been peer-reviewed for adherence to IŻŻ, WHO, and PTGiP clinical nutritional standards.
| Diets Premium Expert Olivia Davis | min read 8 min | Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian 21.03.2026 |
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Key Takeaways
Anorexia (also known as mental eating disorder) is a serious and one of the most dangerous eating disorders. It is characterized by a significant restriction in food intake, a distorted image of one's body shape, and a fear of gaining weight. The ICD-11 classification identifies a number of symptoms that must occur in order to diagnose the disease. One of them is a BMI of less than 18.5 kg/m2. However, it also appears that people with normal body weight and those who are obese also experience complications similar to those that occur in anorexia. This phenomenon is so prevalent that it has been termed atypical anorexia and is also classified as an eating disorder.
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Characteristics of an individual with atypical anorexia
Individuals with atypical anorexia meet all the diagnostic criteria for eating disorders, except for a high BMI. They are characterized by excessive focus on appearance, fear of obesity, dysmorphophobia, and significant weight loss in a short period of time. They often experience low self-esteem, chronic fatigue, problems with concentration, menstrual impairment, depression and negative mood, and even suicidal thoughts. Symptoms that should cause concern include missing meals, eating alone, excessive nervousness, or frequent weighing. Atypical anorexia can be just as dangerous as the classic form of the disease, sometimes even more so, due to difficulties in recognizing it and the belief of those affected that they are not sick enough to start treatment.
Which groups are most at risk? Risk factors
Atypical anorexia often co-occurs with addiction to psychoactive substances and other mental disorders such as depression or anxiety disorders. Among the individual characteristics predisposing to the development of the disorder are excessive perfectionism, problems with emotion regulation, past trauma or low self-esteem. Interestingly, a family history of eating disorders can also contribute to the onset of disease. A particularly vulnerable group for the development of anorexia are also athletes, whose desire to achieve better results can lead to dissatisfaction with one's own body and the desire for change, often through dietary restrictions. In the case of people with overweight or obesity, the problem of body stigma (body shaming) is also a problem, which means the exclusion of the body by the environment. Excess body weight often goes hand in hand with unpleasant comments, not only among young people, but also, for example, in the medical environment, even during a routine visit to a family doctor (S.. M. Sawyer et al. 2016).
What are the health consequences of atypical anorexia?
Rapid weight loss and frequent malnutrition among people with atypical anorexia are contributing to many adverse consequences, mostly the same as in the case of classical mental illness. One of the most common problems is osteonecrosis of the hip joint. It results from insufficient food intake, as well as frequent behaviors such as prescription medications or vomiting. In addition, people with atypical anorexia also suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension) as well as bone marrow disorders (ADHD) and an excess of phosphorus in the body. Weight loss can also lead to serious health consequences, such as heart disease, stroke, and vascular diseases.
Identification and treatment of atypical anorexia-like eating disorder
Increasingly, researchers are recognizing that the diagnosis of atypical eating disorders that resemble anorexia and typical anorexia should not only be based on body weight, but also on the rate and extent of weight loss. Detailed examinations and physical and laboratory tests are necessary to identify this type of disorder. Furthermore, it is very important to distinguish weight loss due to eating disorders from that due to other diseases such as malignant tumors, celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease. Regarding treatment, the basis is increasing calorie intake and achieving a calorie surplus, but it is necessary to gradually increase calorie intake (maximum 400 kcal every 3-4 days), starting with 1000-1400 kcal per day, to avoid the refeeding syndrome. Studies on the effectiveness of medications for atypical eating disorders that resemble anorexia are limited, but consultation with a psychiatrist and other doctors is necessary to treat the negative health effects. A very important component is also psychotherapy, especially family therapy.
Summary
Although anorexia is often equated with unbridled adolescents, the issue is much larger and is not confined to this age group alone. In a society where dieting and body image concerns are commonplace, anyone can develop the described disorder, and a high body mass index does not exclude the diagnosis. Atypical anorexia can also be diagnosed in overweight and obese individuals, and its consequences can be as dangerous as in underweight individuals. Therefore, disseminating knowledge about it is highly significant – especially among physicians, trainers, and dietitians – to enable early detection of the disease and prevention of its negative effects.
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Olivia Davis
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Diets Premium team expert. Specializes in nutrition plans, strength sports, and training plans.
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