Can I still have an eating disorder if I am considered as obese or overweight?

Absolutely! I believe that an eating disorder is more about frame of mind and behaviors than about an actual weight. There is an obsession with food (whether it's avoiding eating, engaging in binge eating, planning times to purge, an addiction to eating, or other types of obsessions). And, there is often behaviors that go along with the thoughts such as purging or excessive exercise or taking extreme measures to get certain foods and/or avoid certain foods. Finally, I think there is usually a dissatisfaction with one's body image and, often, an unrealistic view of what "healthy" is. We live in a society where people strive to be a size zero or two and that's not necessarily realistic or healthy for everyone.

Yes. eating disorder is more mental disorders that defined by abnormal eating habits that negatively affect a person's physical or mental health.

yes, a person can still have an eating disorder if they are considered as obese or overweight. eating disorders are mental disorders and are a large spectrum. there is no such thing as being "not sick enough" to get help.

Weight, whether over or underweight is irrelevant to an eating disorder. It can happen to anyone of any size, age, race, gender or health status. If you feel you have an eating disorder, one of the main steps would be to see a medical professional so that they can properly diagnose the situation and further assist you with the help you may need.

You certainly can. It is a misconception that the only eating disorder is anorexia and that is only for "skinny" people. I have struggled with weight my entire life and still have a BMI over 30. I have what is called Anorexia Athletic (or Exercise anorexia). I have to be very careful or I become obsessed with dieting and food. Every time I eat I would feel that I should go workout to work it off. It has a taken quite a while to try and address this and it is still an urge that I fight (although I still work out two hours everyday - I do not let myself workout again after eating like I would like to do). I have great endurance and am medically healthy but am still obese. There are many different types of eating disorders that people can have - no matter their weight.

Some of these answers are excellent, but I'd like to respond without referring to any clinical statistics or volumes. I had an ED for almost 15 years. Weight changes are only the physical and visible manifestation of what an ED puts you through - because it's visible, this is the part that gets focused on, and the only part people feel able to relate to. It's quite disappointing (and sadly ironic) that even the diagnosis of ED is made solely; by some doctors, on a weight or measurement of physicality. Its not uncommon for someone with already disordered eating in bulimia or BED to further punish themselves by feeling that they have 'the wrong' disorder. If you would like to talk your issues through, I'm here to listen. Pandaxia

Yes you can have an eating disorder if you are considered overweight , like binge eating disorder or EDNOS .

Yes, you can. A eating disorder can stem from the fact that your obese or overweight, which may lead you to not liking your self image, and possibly ending up like many other people who have fallen prey to what a eating disorder can do to your body. You don't need to be underweight to have an eating disorder, just follow the signs and treat it right :)

Absolutely. The belief that being extremely skinny is the only type or sign of an eating disorder is a fallacy. Eating disorders come in many shapes, sizes, and types.

Yes! There are many types of eating disorders that affect body and appetite in many different ways! While an anorexia nervosa diagnosis does in many cases require a very low body weight/BMI, there are other eating disorders like Bulimia (which in many cases, coincides with a "normal" body weight), Binge-Eating (which can affect ALL body weights), and EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified). A person (man, woman, or anything in between) can show many symptoms of an eating disorder, regardless of where they fall on the BMI scale.

Indeed, and if it is not considered a "Binge-Eating Disorder," one may fall under a different category, such as the newly classification by the name of EDNOS, which stands for "Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified." The reason for this is because a person may not be considered clinically "anorexic," for example, according to the criteria outlined in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), which states that a person must be below a certain weight, although it is apparent they exhibit signs of disordered eating. So with that being said, it is certainly possible for an obese or overweight person with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.

Yes, you totally can. I would suggest talking to a physician more about this actually. You can be anorexic or bulimic and be overweight.

Eating disorders are much more about the physical and mental destruction than about a certain physical appearance. It is so true that people can have an eating disorder at any size/weight.

Absolutely. Eating disorders are not only characterized by overtly skinny girls who do nothing but crunches and drink diet coke and eat celery. Anyone can have an eating disorder. I am not discouraging you to get help, but I would keep in mind that society often projects it's skewed views on those who may have low self-esteem, and they can make it seem like the ED community is a glorified one. listen to your body and trust your instinct. I wish you a healthy and safe recovery!

Yes! You don't have to be underweight to be considered to have an eating disorder. There are many different categories of eating disorders and they can show different signs and symptoms in different people.

yes because i had bulimia and i was overweight by alot. i hardly lost any weight during the time anyways but still i was trying.

No, certainly not. Eating disorders can happen to anyone regarding religion, ethnicity, gender , height, weight etc. To get a diagnosis you should see a GP and thats where they take it.

You might have eating disorder, it should affect your social, personal and occupational life. Also, need to check the symptoms and then decide.

Yes you can. An eating disorder is not related to how much you currently weigh, but related to self-desctructive eating habits as a whole. Whether the person is undereating or overeating or both, the behavior would still be considered an eating disorder, regardless of current weight.

Of course. Your weight has nothing to do with your mental health. Even if you are 300+ pounds and you become obsessive with starving yourself you follow the criteria for an eating disorder. A lot of people don't think anorexics can be heavy, but you don't know where someone started. Someone might be 180 but started at 300 not too long ago. Not to mention not all eating disorders make you lose weight. Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder but it makes you gain. Anyone of any shape or size can develop an eating disorder.