• Takhona Tekhaya Tsabedze
• Limbani Chad Phiri
• Happiness Yankho Mainala

Eating disorders have traditionally been identified among individuals exhibiting overt weight loss or binge-purge behaviors; however, a growing concern lies with those who chronically struggle to gain weight despite normal or even excessive efforts. These hidden or subclinical eating disorders often remain undetected because they do not meet conventional diagnostic criteria based on body mass index (BMI) or outward appearance. Such individuals may exhibit restrictive eating patterns, excessive exercise, or psychological distress related to food and body image, which are frequently dismissed as mere metabolic differences. This research explores the underlying psychological, biological, and sociocultural factors contributing to hidden eating disorders in individuals struggling to gain weight. Through an extensive review of existing literature, it examines the limitations of current diagnostic frameworks (DSM-5 and ICD-11), the influence of societal ideals promoting thinness, and the overlap between metabolic difficulty and disordered eating behavior. The study highlights that emotional factors such as perfectionism, anxiety, and control tendencies are common in this group, often reinforced by social validation of thinness and “healthy eating” culture. Findings indicate that current diagnostic tools underestimate such conditions due to their reliance on physical markers rather than behavioral or psychological symptoms. The paper advocates for more inclusive diagnostic criteria and specialized screening tools focusing on cognitive and emotional dimensions of eating behavior. Early recognition, multidisciplinary management involving nutritionists, psychologists, and physicians, and education to dismantle societal misconceptions are crucial for effective intervention. Hidden eating disorders among individuals struggling to gain weight represent a neglected area of mental health research, requiring urgent attention to prevent chronic physical and psychological consequences.

: Hidden eating disorders, weight gain difficulty, subclinical anorexia, restrictive eating, body image, diagnostic limitations, psychological distress, multidisciplinary intervention.

"UNCOVERING HIDDEN EATING DISORDERS IN INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING TO GAIN WEIGHT", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 11, page no.a572-a584, November-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2511068.pdf

"UNCOVERING HIDDEN EATING DISORDERS IN INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING TO GAIN WEIGHT", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 11, page no. ppa572-a584, November-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2511068.pdf