Yes, a distorted body image can lead to eating disorders. In anorexia nervosa, the individual sees herself/himself as overweight despite not being so. This leads to refusing to eat, exercising compulsively, and developing unusual habits, causing severe weight loss or even starvation.

Eating disorders are classified into three main forms. Anorexia nervosa involves a distorted body image, food refusal, and compulsive exercise. Bulimia nervosa involves eating excessive amounts of food followed by purging through laxatives, diuretics, or vomiting, providing relief from tension. Binge eating features frequent episodes of out-of-control eating, where the individual eats rapidly until uncomfortably full, even without hunger.