If you're overweight, trying to shed unwanted pounds is certainly a step toward improving your health. But for people who suffer from an eating disorder, the desire to lose weight is an unhealthy obsession. People with eating disorders may become dangerously thin or use extreme measures to lose weight. The South Beach Diet is not intended for those with certain eating disorders. For instance, people suffering from anorexia practice self-starvation, while people suffering from bulimia participate in a cycle of bingeing followed by purging, typically through self-induced vomiting. If you're concerned about your own health — or that of a friend or loved one — get to know these common signs and symptoms of eating disorders:

• Significant and rapid weight loss
• Obsessive thoughts about food, weight, and appearance
• Binge eating, with or without purging (induced vomiting or laxative use)
• Isolation at mealtimes or frequent disappearances during and/or after meals
• Skipping meals or other restrictive behaviors around food
• Frequent weigh-ins on the scale
• Overexercising
• Abuse of laxatives, diuretics, or weight-loss medications
• Avoidance of activities such as social events or sports due to weight concerns

If you recognize these symptoms in yourself — or if you know someone who is experiencing these symptoms — consult with a health-care professional.

See all Diet Tips.