Final answer:
Disordered eating refers to irregular eating behaviors that may not meet the criteria for an eating disorder but can still be harmful to health. Eating disorders are mental health disorders characterized by abnormal eating habits, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Certain demographic groups, like young females and athletes, may have a higher risk for developing an eating disorder.
Step-by-step explanation:
Eating disorders are mental health disorders characterized by abnormal eating habits that negatively impact health. They can include conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Disordered eating, on the other hand, refers to a range of irregular eating behaviors that may not meet the diagnostic criteria for a specific eating disorder but can still be harmful to health.
Disordered eating may involve practices such as restrictive dieting, excessive exercise, or emotional eating. Unlike eating disorders, disordered eating may not be persistent or severe and typically does not involve distorted body image concerns. It's important to note that disordered eating can sometimes be a precursor to developing an eating disorder.
Various factors can contribute to the development of eating disorders, including genetic, psychological, and environmental influences. Certain demographic groups, such as young females, athletes, or individuals in weight-focused sports like dance or gymnastics, may have a higher risk for developing an eating disorder.