Maintaining refers to the act of keeping or preserving something in its current state. In the context of psychology, maintaining specifically refers to the refusal to maintain a minimally normal body weight.
Related terms
Anorexia nervosa: An eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, self-induced starvation, and a distorted body image.
Body dysmorphia: A mental disorder where individuals have a distorted perception of their appearance and are excessively preoccupied with perceived flaws in their body.
Bulimia nervosa: An eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge-eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging or excessive exercise.