What behavior typifies the Restricting subtype of Anorexia Nervosa?

The Restricting subtype of Anorexia Nervosa is characterized primarily by methods of weight loss that do not include binge eating or purging behaviors. Individuals with this subtype achieve significant weight loss primarily through drastically reducing food intake, which may involve fasting, skipping meals, and engaging in excessive exercise. This method of controlling weight highlights the individual's extreme dietary restrictions and behavioral strategies aimed at preventing weight gain, aligning with the defining characteristics of the Restricting subtype.

In contrast, behaviors such as recurrent binges or purges, or the exclusive use of laxatives, are indicative of the Binge-Eating/Purging subtype of Anorexia Nervosa rather than the Restricting subtype. Additionally, the presence of no weight loss observed does not fit the diagnostic criteria for Anorexia Nervosa, where significant weight loss is a key component. This distinction helps frame the understanding of the various presentations of Anorexia Nervosa within the DSM-5.