Anorexia

What is the ideal body type? Do you have to weigh less than one hundred pounds to be the ideal size? In today's society more and more people are worrying about their weight, their health and their appearance. This is a very positive thing since a great majority of the American population is over weight. Yet, what happens when dieting and worrying about your weight goes too far? People sometimes go to extremes to accomplish "ideal" and unrealistic goals. Obsessing about your weight can lead to anorexia. Anorexia nervosa is a disorder in which people starve themselves;

"The term anorexia literally means 'lack of appetite induced by nervousness.' However, this definition is somewhat of a misnomer, because lack of appetite is not the real problem. At the heart of anorexia nervosa is an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, combined with a refusal to maintain even a minimally low body weight". (Butcher Mineka and Hooley 2007)

There are some ways to tell whether or not a friend or family member is becoming anorexic. The symptoms of anorexics include "body weight that is inconsistent with age (usually fifteen percent below normal weight), loss of at least consecutive menstrual cycles (in women), refusing to eat in public, anxiety, weakness, brittle skin, shortness of breath, and obsessiveness about calorie intake" (Mamas health 2002). Anorexia is seen more often in women and young girls than in men and young boys. Other signs that may be more psychological than physical include sleep deprivation and depression. Individuals who develop anorexia may also become quite anti-social. They will not communicate with others as they once used to and they may also loose contact with their circle of friends. Anorexics may also begin to sleep less and less. With all the stress and worries about their weight, anorexics may encounter disrupted sleep cycles. This can lead to additional changes in the person's behavior such as mood swings and fatigue. (Medicine Net 2005)