] Re: Is Calorie Restriction Really Different From Anorexia?

[Guest guest]

I face this often even from health professionals.

Maybe its worthy of an article.

In the meantime...

Some official definitions, with some comments (in

parenthesis)...

The actual criteria for anorexia nervosa are found in

the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and

Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).

There are four basic criteria for the diagnosis of

anorexia nervosa that are characteristic:

1) The refusal to maintain body weight at or above a

minimally normal weight for age and height. Body

weight less than 85% of the expected weight is

considered minimal.

(as most us have debated, a BMI of somewhere between

18.5 - 22 would be considered a fairly good degree of

CR, without risking health consequences. That is

actually not only within the " normal " range of weight,

but the " healthy " range of weight)

2) An intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat,

even though the person is underweight.

(While I can only speak for myself and what i have

experienced, i dont see this as a problem amonst most

CRONies)

3) Self-perception that is grossly distorted and

weight loss that is not acknowledged.

(Again, my experience is the opposite. Most all of us

have a pretty fairy and healthy self perception and

dont think that while being thin, we are fat, obese,

and ugly).

4) In women who have already begun their menstrual

cycle, at least three consecutive periods are missed

(amenorrhea), or menstrual periods occur only after a

hormone is administered.

(could be a problem with extreme CRON, but not with

what we recommend/follow)

The DSM-IV further identifies two subtypes of anorexia

nervosa.

In the binge eating/purging type, the individual

regularly engages in binge eating or purging behavior

which involves self-induced vomiting or the misuse of

laxatives, diuretics, or enemas during the current

episode of anorexia.

(Not a charecteristic of CRON)

In the restricting type, the individual severely

restricts food intake, but does not engage in the

behaviors seen in the binge eating type.

(we restrict food intake based on our best

interpetation of the scientific literature on what is

the healthiest level of intake while trying to ensure

optimal nutrition. Anorexia has no interest in

optimial nutrition and restricts intake based on a

false self perception).

Jeff