The objective of the study was to identify the meanings attributed to the consequences of eating disorders (ED) by women users of a residential treatment program in Lima, Perú. This is based on a qualitative approach and grounded theory. Eight women diagnosed with ED, between 14 and 24 years of age, participated. The techniques used were individual interview, focus group and personal documents. The results indicated that the participants evaluated the consequences of the disorders as beneficial and damaging, alternating this assessment according to the situation and the achievement of their goals. The benefits attributed to the ED were to lose weight in a short time, acceptance and approval of the social group, increase in interpersonal relationships, and attention and affection of family members. On the other hand, the damages attributed were deterioration of health, loss of physical and social functionality, negative psychological changes, activation of dysfunctional thoughts, impulsivity/aggressiveness and distrust of the family. The results provide theoretical support to the implementation of treatment strategies that emphasize the processes of construction of personal, contextual and functional meanings that are assigned to the behavior problems of the ED, in such a way that the motivational change in the patients is promoted.