Anorexia Nervosa is probably more common in today's 'media' focused era more than it ever has been before. Anorexia Nervosa is a very complex eating disorder/disease that involves both psychological and sociological components which result in the voluntary starvation and exercise stress by an individual.
Anorexia Nervosa: "A psychophysiological disorder usually occurring in young women that is characterized by an abnormal fear of becoming obese, a distorted self-image, a persistent unwillingness to eat, and severe weight loss. It is often accompanied by self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, malnutrition, amenorrhea, and other physiological changes."
Our daily definition of this condition often overlooks the actual psychological part of the condition which is often times the greatest factor. Medical professionals are still not able to completely characterize the causes of anorexia, and as such are the subject of debate in several instances. Generally we have been able to agree that it is both physiological and psychological.
If we look around at the media and the pressure that is placed on women to conform to a certain image, it's easy to understand why anorexia is a growing problem in our society. Paula Abdul, Courtney Cox, Elton John, Calista Flockhart, Marie Osmond, Elvis Presley and Mary-Kate Olsen are a few on the growing list of celebrities themselves that have suffered at one point from an eating disorder. Self Confidence is a crucial element in developing this aspect, and as individuals is something that we should always strive for, before trying to be "peer-confident."
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Someone Considered Anorexic...?
By: catherine857 | 14-06-2008
If they only try and eat less than 200 calories and doesn't eat sometimes but does eat?. I know someone that does that and i was jw about it or are you only anorexic if you only consume so many calories a day and don't eat at all. She is obsessed with working out too and when she has a bad day she beats her self up for it then ususally tries not to eat. I haven't said anything to her about it but other people have and she just says nothing is bothering her and there's nothing wrong but i'm worried about her and i think she looks good no matter how she is. People have even told her she looks good and has lost some weight i just want her to be happy and not think that way about herself. BC if you have to think that way about getting yourself to lose weight and for guys to like you it isn't healthy and there's not too many guys that are going to like twiggy girls that look fragil you'd be afraid of breaking or something.
Can you lose weight from being bulimic
By: aleighartificial | 26-03-2008
Can you lose weight from being bulimic or just maintain your weight?
Preventing Eating Disorders in your Kids
By: Chris | 23-12-2007
How can you make sure your soon to be teen daughter doesn't develop an eating disorder? I see her friends and they're all concerned with how they look and how thin they are etc. If you ask me, half of them are already on their way to eating disorders. I don't want my daughter to be obsessed like that.
Top Model - latest season
By: JenniferL | 16-12-2007
Has anyone noticed that despite the some celebrities trying to fight the media's size zero fad, the girls of Tyra Banks' tv show, Top Model look like starving eating disorder patients?
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