Anorexia can effect anyone however, it is much more prevalent in females then in males.
Statistically one percent of females in the US suffer from anorexia, most are adolescent girls between the ages of 15 and18. Of all who suffer anorexia just six percent is male, the rest being females.
They conducted a study showing that anorexia is more likely to affect teenage Caucasian from a middle class family more than anyone else.
Stryer, Stacy Beller.Biographies of Disease:Anorexia.Santa Barbra: Greenwood Press, 2009. Print
These pages are intended to be informational and not meant to be directly cited. Please use the articles, books, and websites listed.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which the person, may have an intense fear of gaining weight even if they are underweight. They may under eat and do excessive amounts of exercising in order to be "ideal."(1)
1.Anorexia nervosa.University of Maryland. May 31, 2013. Web.18 July 2013.
1) They must have an abnormal fear of gaining weight.
2) Must weigh under 85 percent or less then is consider health for their size.
3) For women, they must have not had a menstruated for three months.
4) Must be in denial that their weight loss is a problem.
If someone meets all these qualification they are said to be anorexic. If they meet some of these qualifications they may have eating disorder not otherwise specified (ENDOS).
Source:
Stryer, Stacy Beller. Biographies of Disease :Anorexia. Santa Barbra:Greenwood Press,2009.Print
Anorexia nervosa.University of Maryland. May 31, 2013. Web.18 July 2013.
There is not one set cause for Anorexia, the only thing that seemed to be widely agreed upon is that anorexia is a psychological disorder. The cause of anorexia can differ in every case. Some of the most common causes are:
1.A sense of unworthiness
2.The need to feel that they have control of their lives
3.Be a perfectionist
4. May have suffered from anxiety as a child
Source:
Stryer, Stacy Beller. Biographies of Disease :Anorexia. Santa Barbra:Greenwood Press,2009.Print
1. Have distorted image of self, they are obsessed with weight and shape.
2.They have a fear of gaining weight, even if they are under weight.
3.They refuse to maintain a healthy body weight for their age and height. An unhealthy body weight is consider to be 15% below a normal body weight.
4.Someone who suffers from anorexia intakes such a small amount of food they will miss their menstrual cycles.
5.They may also appear to have a yellow tint to their skin.
6. They will need multiple layers to remain warm.
7.Some may suffer from depression.
8.Follow an extreme exercise regiment.
9.They follow a restrictive diet, or refuse to eat at all.
10.Loss of strength in bones
11.Tiredness
13. Not being able to concentrate
12.Refusal to eat in front of others
13.Lack of excitement for life
14. Withdrawl from friends and family
These symptoms my not be all be present at first, but as the disease progress most of the symptoms will make themselves evident.
Source:
Anorexia nervosa.University of Maryland. May 31, 2013. Web.18 July 2013.
Anorexia is a deadly disorder that claims the lives of ten percent of those affected. Some who do recover "relapse", and need long term help to help maintain a healthy weight. (1) Even when completely "cured", most who suffered from this disease will always worry about weight, and be obsessive over food.(2)
Source:
1.Stryer, Stacy Beller.Biographies of Disease:Anorexia.Santa Barbra: Greenwood Press, 2009. Print
2. Ellin,Abby."With Anorexia, Total Recovery Can Be Elusive." The New York Times. 25 Apr. 2011. Web. 17 Jul. 2013.
1.Decrease in white blood cells, which could lead to infections and put you at risk for cancer.
2. Malnutrition
3.Tooth Decay especially if they induce vomiting
4.Seizures due to repeated diarrhea or vomiting, which leads to sodium and fluid levels to decrease
Stryer, Stacy Beller.Biographies of Disease:Anorexia.Santa Barbra: Greenwood Press, 2009. Print
It has been widely argued if there is a true "cure" for anorexia. In most cases, it is a life long disorder in which the affected is always cautious of their weight. It can also be difficult for those affected to receive treatment, as they often deny it is a problem.
However, there is treatment available to help with the effects of anorexia. The most common is going a treatment center specifically designed for anorexia, which helps physically, mentally, emotionally. A typical recovery plan calls for them to gain 1-3 pounds a week, until at a healthy weight.
Other types of help for recovery are:
Source:
Ellin, Abby "With Aorexia, Total Recovery Can Be Elusive." The New York Times.25 Apr. 2011. Web. 17 Jul. 2013.
Ellin, Abby "With Aorexia, Total Recovery Can Be Elusive." The New York Times.25 Apr. 2011. Web. 17 Jul. 2013.
Anorexia nervosa.University of Maryland. May 31, 2013. Web.18 July 2013.
What are Eating Disorders? Stanford School of Medicine. Web. 2013
Bastiani, A.M., Rao, R., Weltzin, T. and Kaye, W.A;"Perfectionism in anorexia nervosa." Int. J. Eat. Disord., (1995)
Eating Disorders." The Lancet 361. 9355, (2003):407–416