This research highlights the importance of considering autism in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders, particularly regarding social difficulties and sensory sensitivities that may impact food-related behaviors. Eating disorders are severe psychiatric conditions that often emerge in adolescence and include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED). While anorexia nervosa is characterized by extreme dietary restriction and low body weight, bulimia nervosa involves binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, and binge eating disorder consists of recurrent binge episodes without compensatory behaviors. Research has suggested a strong link between autism and eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa, as autistic individuals may exhibit rigid eating patterns, difficulties recognizing hunger cues, and sensory sensitivities to food. Studies have consistently shown that individuals with eating disorders, especially anorexia, have elevated autistic traits, particularly in social and communication difficulties. However, malnutrition itself can lead to behaviors resembling autism, making it difficult to determine causality.
