Does irregular eating patterns and frequent lack of hunger constitute an eating disorder?
If we have a patient diagnosed with ADHD who has a BMI between 16.0 and 18.5 (underweight) who has an inconsistent eating pattern and a reoccurring lack of hunger, would they be likely to have an eating disorder?
Pt. has access to food (some of which they like). Purging not present; no negative outlooks on food or physique.
Examples of their eating behavior might be (first three days of the week):
Breakfast, skipped. Lunch, skipped. Dinner, ~700 calories. Midnight snack, ~350 calories.
Breakfast, skipped. Lunch, ~600 calories. Dinner, ~500 calories.
Breakfast, ~300 calories. Lunch, ~400 calories. Dinner, skipped. Midnight snack, ~200 calories.
Average daily caloric intake less than 2000; often less than 1000.
Research
The closest match I found is Avoidant or Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). This has a common condition: "lack of interest in consuming the food, or tolerating it nearby". Which, sort of goes inline with the Pt. not eating food very often. But, Pt. does not have problems with avoiding foods based on texture, taste, smell, etc.
(0)Terms of Use Privacy policy Contact About Cancellation policy © freshhoot.com2026 All Rights reserved.