Do adults with anorexia enjoy watching others eat?
Nov 21, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Baohua
Introduction
Some patients with anorexia nervosa may actively avoid situations related to eating, including observing others eat, due to intense psychological aversion toward food. These patients often experience anxiety and depression, believing that eating will disrupt their body weight management goals and even developing feelings of self-loathing, leading to disinterest in others' eating behaviors.
Generally, there is no fixed pattern regarding whether adult anorexia patients enjoy watching others eat, as individual behaviors may vary significantly due to differences in psychological states. If abnormal behaviors are observed, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Some anorexia patients may actively avoid situations related to eating—including observing others eat—due to a strong psychological aversion toward food. These individuals often experience anxiety and depression, believing that eating will disrupt their body weight management goals, sometimes even leading to self-loathing. As a result, they show little interest in others' eating behaviors.
Other patients, due to prolonged dieting, may experience intensified hunger or develop ambivalent feelings toward food—resisting eating while remaining psychologically preoccupied with it. Such patients might indirectly satisfy their cravings by watching others eat, or reinforce their sense of self-control by comparing their food intake with others'. However, these behaviors are typically accompanied by significant psychological distress.
If behaviors such as frequently sneaking glances at others while they eat, excessive preoccupation with dietary content, or marked mood swings and impaired social functioning occur, prompt contact with a psychiatrist for professional evaluation is necessary to prevent further progression of the condition.
