What Bmi Is Classified As Anorexic?

The eating disorder anorexia is recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders as having a significant psychological component. Anorexia is characterized by an extreme restriction in caloric intake in an effort to lose weight, and can result in severe health consequences, even death. Anorexia is not a classification on the Body Mass Index scale, though a very low BMI may be one warning sign of this disorder.

Anorexia

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, certain criteria are required to designate a person as anorexic. An unwillingness to maintain a weight of at least 85 percent of the appropriate height and weight for your age is the first indication. A fear of gaining weight and a preoccupation with body composition may be additional warning signs. Finally, the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles may be a signal that the body is entering a state of self-induced starvation for women.

Types

Anorexia can come in the form of binge-eating-purging, in which you engage in binge-eating followed by vomiting or the misuse of laxatives or diuretics. Another type of anorexia involves severely limiting calories but not engaging in purging behavior. Bulimia nervosa, often mistaken for the purging form of anorexia, is a chronic pattern of purging behavior but is not always associated with being extremely underweight, says the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders."

Underweight BMI

The BMI measures overall body composition and provides an indication of your level of body fat. When compared with other assessments, BMI can be an effective predictor of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. A BMI of less than 18.5 is classified as underweight, and is associated with weighing about 10 percent less than your recommended weight, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. A BMI of 17.5 may be a warning sign of anorexia, and a BMI of 30 percent less than normal may be life-threatening.

Additional Warning Signs

In addition to being underweight, additional warning signs may help you identify anorexic behavior. Repeated comments about being fat or an unusual worry about gaining weight can be an initial sign. Rapid weight loss, without medical reason, can also be a telltale sign of anorexia. Skipping meals, refusing to eat and mood swings can be signs of extreme nutritional deficiency associated with anorexia as well, says the University of Maryland Medical Center.