Anorexia
Severe restriction of food intake, intense fear of weight gain, and strict weight control.
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Anorexia often leads to progressive isolation, psychological distress, and physical consequences that require specialised support.
Understand
Understanding EDs
Eating disorders are mental health conditions that affect eating, the body, and self-esteem. They can affect anyone, at any age, and early support makes referral and recovery more straightforward.
Disorders
Main EDs
Bulimia
Uncontrolled binge episodes and compensatory behaviors (vomiting, restriction, excessive exercise).
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Binges and compensations can become a difficult cycle to interrupt without multidisciplinary care.
Binge eating
Binge episodes with loss of control, without compensatory behaviors.
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Binge eating is frequently associated with significant emotional distress and deserves a comprehensive, non-judgmental approach.
ARFID
Marked food avoidance due to low interest, fears (choking, vomiting, being ill), or sensory sensitivities.
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ARFID can lead to deficiencies, major fatigue, and social impact. Early identification improves care.
Guidance
For relatives and professionals
Pointers for relatives and professionals
- Talk about the change you notice without commenting on weight or trying to persuade at all costs.
- Avoid policing meals, guilt-based messages, or improvised nutrition advice.
- Suggest a medical or specialised dietetic appointment, even if the person minimises what is happening.
- Share this page with a parent, GP, psychologist, school team, or social worker whenever it can help guide the next step.
When to seek help or refer
- As soon as restriction, bingeing, compensatory behaviours, or social withdrawal start to settle in.
- When there is fatigue, faintness, missing periods, slowing down, or overwhelming body-related concerns.
- When a family, school, or professional no longer knows which service to turn to in Belgium.
- If doubt remains, use the Care pathways page to identify the right network or reference centre.
Identify
Warning signs
- Significant weight loss or gain.
- Marked restriction or repeated binge episodes.
- Intense fear of eating or gaining weight.
- Vomiting, laxative use, or excessive exercise.
- Persistent fatigue, malaise, or sleep issues.
- Social withdrawal, heightened anxiety, or sadness.
- Meals increasingly avoided, especially in groups.
These signs may appear at home, at school, in primary care, or in sports settings. Noticing them early helps people seek support sooner.
SCOFF
Eating disorder screening test (SCOFF)
SCOFF is a screening test for eating disorders. If you have two positive answers, it is recommended to seek advice. Answer the 5 questions below by selecting Yes or No, then submit to view your score.
0/5
1.Have you ever made yourself vomit because you felt uncomfortably full?
2.Do you worry you have lost control over how much you eat?
3.Have you recently lost more than 6 kg in three months?
4.Do you believe you are fat when others say you are too thin?
5.Would you say that food is something that takes up a dominant place in your life?
Key takeaways
- EDs are real illnesses, not a choice.
- They affect both physical and mental health.
- Paths are not always typical and can evolve.
- Early support improves recovery chances.
- A doubt is enough to reach out.
- ABE informs and orients people. It is not a medical care service.
Approach
- Personalised nutrition consultations
- Collaboration with family and healthcare teams
- Therapeutic groups and specialised workshops
- Training and awareness for professionals
Book a visit
A first consultation helps assess the situation and plan the next steps.
If you are trying to identify the right network, centre, or reimbursed pathway in Belgium, the Care pathways page gathers the most useful pointers for families and professionals.
