What is a major criterion for diagnosing Anorexia?

A major criterion for diagnosing Anorexia Nervosa is significantly low body weight. This condition is characterized by an individual maintaining a body weight that is significantly below what is considered healthy for their age, sex, and developmental history. This is typically defined as a body mass index (BMI) less than 18.5 for adults, but the specific thresholds can vary depending on the population.

The emphasis on low body weight is critical in the diagnosis because it reflects the severe restriction of food intake that accompanies the disorder. Individuals with anorexia often have a distorted body image and a fear of gaining weight, which drives them to restrict their food intake severely. This criterion establishes the presence of one of the most dangerous aspects of the disorder, as it can lead to various health complications due to malnutrition.

Other factors, while they might relate to eating behaviors or psychological components of the disorder, do not serve as primary diagnostic criteria. For example, excessive exercise and detachment from food-related activities can be seen in some individuals with anorexia but are not central to the diagnosis itself. Recurrent binge eating is associated with other eating disorders, such as Binge Eating Disorder or Bulimia Nervosa, which differs fundamentally from anorexia.