The National Eating Disorders Association took down a controversial chatbot, after users showed how the newest version could dispense potentially harmful advice about dieting and calorie counting.

In recent years, the demands on the NEDA helpline, and the humans who ran it, escalated. The organization says it was unsustainable. But some have worries about new plans for an online chatbot.

Many eating disorder specialists oppose the new guidance's focus on weight loss and BMI, and say it minimizes the risk of disordered eating and will perpetuate deep-rooted, damaging stigmas.

The new approach aims to promote overall fitness instead of focusing on specific exercises, and the devices will also give Guardians feedback about mental health, balanced eating and sleep.

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Studies show that veterans have a much higher risk of eating disorders than civilians. Risk factors include chaotic eating situations, weight requirements and a culture of being in control.

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Eating disorders strike nearly 1 in 10 Americans, with the second-highest death rate of all psychiatric disorders. The pandemic's food insecurity, stockpiling and stress are triggering flare-ups.

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For Susan Burton, decades of disordered eating was about power. "As long as I was bingeing, I didn't have to think. I didn't have to think about any loss or pain or wanting or yearning."

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Women suffer from anxiety at nearly twice the rate of men, and a coalition of women's health groups says all teenage girls and women should be screened.

Whether it's gluten or dairy, many people avoid certain types of foods these days. Sometimes food avoidance can take over people's lives and veer into an eating disorder.

The Affordable Care Act and other U.S. laws sought to put insurance coverage for mental health conditions on equal footing with coverage for physical conditions. But patients say that's not happening.

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