The article 'Looking into Ramachandran's broken mirror' is especially interesting. I like Ramachandran's work. However, it is true that mirror neurones have been shown to be (apparently) intact in some people with ASD - which does suggest heterogeneous causes. The statement: "You get trivial things provoking a fight or flight response, so you get the autonomic storms that characterize autism" is well put. I am inclined to think that 'autism' is as much of an umbrella term as is 'eating disorders'. There are huge variations in presentation and likely aetiology.

The article "Do we need to talk about weight to bond with other women?" is also quite interesting. I have often wondered whether most women's obsession with weight and shape is borne out of a phenomenon of female bonding - to 'fit in' socially with a group by gender as opposed to a genuine worry. Perhaps that's where weight obsession differs greatly in 'healthy women' vs. individuals with an eating disorder.

The article on weight talk among women really irritated me, as I cannot stand that type of talk. Weight and dieting are simply boring.

I am starting to think the answer to your question is "yes" and maybe that's why I don't bond well with a lot of women. I have absolutely no interest in what someone eats, particularly from a fat/calorie point of view and just ignore the speaker, or try to change the subject and failing that, walk away.