Eating disorders are a serious affliction affecting about 11 million Americans. Of those 11 million, about 10 million are females. Eating disorders, in simple terms, are when you have an unhealthy relationship with food. There are different forms that involve fasting, binge eating or purging. There are underlying mental or emotional issues that accompany eating disorders. People with eating disorders might have a fear of being overweight, be obsessed with their body image, or have illogical or unrealistic expectations about how they should look.