Topic Overview

During a physical exam for eating disorders, the doctor will:

• Check your weight and compare it with the expected weight for someone of the same height and age. In general, a body mass index (BMI) that is less than 18.5 in adults is considered underweight.¹
• Check your blood pressure, pulse, and temperature. Many people who have eating disorders have a sudden drop in blood pressure when they sit up from a lying position or stand up from a sitting position.
• Listen to your heart and lungs.
• Examine your belly for anything unusual.
• Check your hands and feet for swelling.

Other physical signs include:²

• Dry skin.
• Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia).
• Thinning or dull hair on the head and unexpected fine hair growth on the body.
• Low blood pressure (especially when you stand up).

Because vomiting is often part of an eating disorder, the doctor may also check for:³

• Inflamed or diseased teeth and gums or erosion of tooth enamel.
• Swollen glands in the neck.
• Broken blood vessels in the eyes.
• Teeth marks on the back of the hands or calluses on the knuckles from self-induced vomiting.
• Sores in the mouth.