Extreme food restriction characterized by severe reduction in food intake is primarily associated with which disorder?

The disorder primarily associated with extreme food restriction and a severe reduction in food intake is Anorexia Nervosa. This eating disorder is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, which leads individuals to restrict their food intake to an unhealthy level. People suffering from Anorexia may engage in excessive exercise or other behaviors to avoid gaining weight, often resulting in significant weight loss and malnutrition.

Anorexia Nervosa stands out from the other eating disorders listed because it specifically involves a substantial reduction in caloric intake and an overarching preoccupation with body weight and shape. In contrast, Bulimia involves cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, while Binge Eating Disorder includes episodes of eating large amounts of food without purging. Night Eating Syndrome, on the other hand, is characterized by consuming large amounts of food at night, often paired with insomnia but not necessarily with severe restriction during the day. Thus, Anorexia Nervosa is most accurately identified with extreme food restriction and reduction in food intake.