Which eating disorder is characterized by an athlete's preoccupation with food?

The correct answer is characterized by an intense preoccupation with food, body image, and weight. Individuals with this disorder often engage in extreme dietary restrictions and may have an intense fear of gaining weight. This obsession can lead to significant psychological distress and physical health complications.

This eating disorder manifests not only in the physical act of restricting food intake but also in a psychological focus on food, such as calorie counting or rigid meal planning, which can dominate their thoughts and behaviors. Athletes, particularly, might develop this preoccupation as they strive for an ideal body composition or performance outcomes.

In contrast, other eating disorders, while potentially involving food, do not share the same level of preoccupation. For instance, bulimia nervosa involves cycles of binge eating followed by purging, but the primary focus tends to be on the act of bingeing and compensatory behavior rather than an overarching obsession with food itself. Similarly, binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food without purging, but the preoccupation is more about the emotional and behavioral aspects rather than a strict focus on food quality or purity.

Orthorexia, a growing concern in some health-conscious circles, specifically refers to an unhealthy obsession with eating foods that one considers healthy