Is it still an eating disorder if the person isn't concerned about their appearance?

I'm just not sure what the exact definition of an eating disorder is. If someone were to just have a habit of not eating right out of being either lazy or busy, but wasn't concerned at all with their weight or appearance, is it still an eating disorder?

For example, is it correct to call someone anorexic when they simply don't eat from reasons that have nothing to do with their body image?

Hmm.. mixed answers. Anyone know for sure or have reliable sources?

Eating Disorders are about issues of control. Usually the invidual who has an eating disorder is trying to get some type of control over his or her life. For whatever reason they feel lost and weight/appearance is something that they can control. Chances are if someone is not eating right out of laziness or being too busy, they're probably going to seek out fast food, and will probably gain weight. Unless it's a medical issue that's making them thin, there's something wrong with refusing to eat or be at a healthy weight. If you know someone like that, talk to them. Talk to a physician, therapist, or someone else who is a professional. Eating Disorders are serious and can cause bodily harm, and in some cases death. If someone isn't eating, there's a reason why. If they have a light appetite, they're still going to eat. They may not eat as much as the person sitting next to them, but they're not going to avoid it all together. We need to eat to have fuel to survive! At any rate, Eating Disorders are not something to be taken lightly. Also remember that you can't force someone into treatment (or even to get an assessment) but you can encourage and support them as best as you are able. A person will not change unless they're ready to change. Oh, and for the record, it's never correct to call someone anorexic. It's okay to say that so-and-so has been diagnosed with anorexic (but only if you know for sure and are speaking about them in a helpful manner). It's a disease and shouldn't be taken lightly.

2 of the diagnostic criteria for anorexia are;
Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight.
and
Disturbance in the way in which one's body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight.
So it could not be anorexia. Also, since ED's are mental illnesses and being busy or lazy means it's not a psychological reason for eating it can't be an eating disorder.

No. The key element of disorders such as anoerexia and bulimia that seperate them from simply not eating is the fact that the person is not eating as they believe they are fat. Someone could be overweight and become anoerexic, and once they have lost enough weight to be considered normal or slim they still think they are fat, or someone of normal or slender weight could become convinced they are fat and not eat because they think they are fat. But the whole point is they are not eating becuase they think they are overweight.

It depends, some times the numbers on the scale don't seem important but what they see in the mirror is contorted. Now there is also a phobia of food, this has nothing to do with vanity and everything to do with a real fear of illness, germs for some they have a phobia of throwing up, so they wont eat. (my cousin had the vomiting phobia). Others have IBS and don't know.

I don't think it's neccesarily an eating disorder, I just think that that's good that you are not concerned!!! But when it goes too far, you should be concerned. Getting bigger by just not caring or just getting bigger in general can be hazardous to your health later on in life. If you're not getting bigger then I'd say your doing okay, but it's not about the gaining weight part... it's about the health. Is what you're eating healthy, if not, you might want to change your ways or cut back... maybe not now, but your decisions will certainly affect you later on in life. Just make sure you're eating healthy and are at a healthy weight.

any of various disorders, as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, characterized by severe disturbances in eating habits. Has nothing to do at all with body image. Sometimes body image can cause eating disorders but just becuase you have an eating disorder and it was not caused by body image doesnt mean its not a disorder.

Anorexia and eating disorders are diseases... there must be symptoms present. People with eating disorders don't eat or binge and purge because they are terrified of losing control, have a morbid fear of weight gain, etc.

Lots of people don't eat because they are busy... that is not an eating disorder.

No, the Nat'l Eating Disorders Association says

"Eating disorders arise from a variety of physical,
emotional, social, and familial issues, all of which
need to be addressed for effective prevention and
treatment."

I adore food, but I have "a small stomach" (I don't know if that's the REAL cause, but that's what everybody says) and have never had a big appetite. That certainly doesn't mean I have an eating disorder!

The Nat'l Eating Disorders Association also said:

Warning Signs of Anorexia Nervosa:

* Dramatic weight loss.
* Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, fat grams, and dieting.
* Refusal to eat certain foods, progressing to restrictions against whole categories of food (e.g. no carbohydrates, etc.).
* Frequent comments about feeling 鈥渇at鈥?or overweight despite weight loss.
* Anxiety about gaining weight or being 鈥渇at.鈥?br> * Denial of hunger.
* Development of food rituals (e.g. eating foods in certain orders, excessive chewing, rearranging food on a plate).
* Consistent excuses to avoid mealtimes or situations involving food.
* Excessive, rigid exercise regimen--despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury--the need to 鈥渂urn off鈥?calories taken in.
* Withdrawal from usual friends and activities.
* In general, behaviors and attitudes indicating that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns.

So that means it WOULD NOT be correct to call them anorexic!

Well it depends... if you still eat a little bit then I guess no. But if you don't eat at all it's probably anorexic. But if your too lazy or too busy then i would sugest packing granola bars of something and always have them handy. That way you won't g ohungry

unbalanced eating is a problem no matter the cause

Yes. there could be other reasons for anorexia.