Which of the following summarizes one of the DSM-5 criteria for anorexia nervosa?

The criteria from the DSM-5 for anorexia nervosa include a persistent restriction of energy intake leading to significantly low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, and a disturbed body image. The intense fear of gaining weight is a hallmark of the disorder, as individuals with anorexia often experience a profound anxiety about becoming overweight, even when they are underweight. This discrepancy between their actual weight and their perception of body image contributes significantly to the maintenance of the disorder, as it drives their behaviors such as food restriction, excessive exercise, or other compensatory measures.

Significant weight gain would contradict the diagnosis, as individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa are characterized by low body weight. Age above 30 years is not a specific criterion for anorexia nervosa; the disorder can affect individuals of any age, often emerging during adolescence or young adulthood. Lastly, individuals with anorexia typically do not have a normal perception of their body image; rather, they may see themselves as overweight, even when evidence shows otherwise. Thus, the intense fear of gaining weight directly reflects one of the critical criteria outlined in the DSM-5 for diagnosing anorexia nervosa.