Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that usually strikes
women. Of the 7 million woman aged 15 to 35 who have an
eating disorder, many will die from the complications of
anorexia.
 
The disease can be defined as self-starvation leading to a
loss of body weight 15% below normal, accompanied with
hyper activity, hypothermia, and amenorrhea. Hypothermia
results when the body's natural insulation (fat stores)
become non-existent and the victim becomes cold all the
time. Amenorrhea is the absence of at least three menstrual
cycles- this is also affected by the loss of fat stores in
the body.
 
Anorexia may not be noticed in its early stages because it
often starts as an innocent diet. Often dieters become
hyperactive because they exercise frantically in an attempt
to burn calories to lose weight. Even in the later stages
of the disease, it may no be noticed because the anorexic
usually chooses to wear layered and baggy clothes. Despite
the emaciated appearance of the anorexic, she still "feel
fat" and wants to hide her "ugly fat body".