What characterizes anorexia nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa is primarily characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image that drives individuals to pursue extreme thinness. This pursuit often leads to severe restrictions in food intake and excessive weight loss. The motivation behind this behavior is often linked to societal pressures surrounding body image, an overwhelming desire for control, or underlying psychological issues.

While other behaviors such as compulsive exercising may accompany anorexia in some cases, the hallmark feature defining the disorder is the obsession with weight and body shape, which is encapsulated in the extreme thinness that individuals with anorexia strive for. Thus, the focus on achieving this extreme level of leanness is fundamentally what categorizes anorexia nervosa as a distinct eating disorder.