Just because a person does not meet the exact definitions described earlier does not mean that the person does not have an eating disorder. As a matter of fact, most people will not meet the full criteria. Individuals may begin as anorexics but then not be able to hold the low weight (15% below normal) and may go onto develop bulimia. Actually up to 50% of patients with anorexia develop bulimic symptoms. Some patients with bulimia develop anorexic symptoms.