Eating disorders often manifest in which of the following ways?

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions characterized by unhealthy eating habits, often driven by emotional or psychological factors. One of the hallmark features of eating disorders is a distorted body image, where individuals may perceive themselves inaccurately, significantly impacting their self-esteem and body satisfaction. This distorted perception can lead to extreme dietary restrictions as the individual attempts to achieve a body ideal that is often unrealistic and unattainable.

In this context, dietary restrictions can take many forms, including severe caloric restriction, avoidance of certain food groups, or an obsession with "clean eating." This behavior is commonly observed in disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Those affected may go to great lengths to control their food intake to align with their distorted views of their body and self-worth.

The other options, while they may relate to various behavioral issues, do not specifically encapsulate the core features of eating disorders. For instance, excessive drinking and compulsive shopping are not inherently linked to eating habits or body image. Overeating without guilt may occur in certain contexts, but it does not reflect the compulsive behaviors and emotions associated with eating disorders, where feelings of guilt and shame often accompany unhealthy eating behaviors. Therefore, the depiction of a distorted body image alongside dietary restrictions