What term describes eating behaviors that can lead to serious illness or even death?

Eating disorders encompass a range of psychological conditions characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits that can severely impact an individual's physical and mental health. These behaviors include extreme food restriction, excessive overeating, or cycles of binging and purging, all of which can lead to significant medical complications and even death if untreated.

While anorexia, binge eating, and bulimia are all types of eating disorders, the broader term "eating disorders" captures the full spectrum of these conditions, which can include multiple forms of harmful eating behaviors. Each specific disorder involves a distinct pattern of eating that poses unique risks, but collectively, they all fall under the umbrella of eating disorders and share the potential for serious health consequences.

Therefore, by identifying eating disorders as the correct term, one acknowledges the comprehensive nature of these issues and their serious implications, rather than focusing on just one specific condition or behavior.