Important facts      Warning signs      Who’s at risk

Anorexia nervosa is a complicated eating disorder, often rooted in both biological and psychological issues. The four main characteristics are:

• Intense drive for thinness, resulting in severe emaciation
• Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat
• Distorted body image
• [For women] Cessation of the menstrual cycle (amenorrhea) for at least three months
• [For men] Decreased sexual drive

Important Facts

• Typically develops in adolescence or young adulthood
• Affects about one in 2,400 adolescents
• 90-95 percent of affected individuals are female
• Usually preceded by dieting behavior
• Psychological problems displaced onto food
• Unusual food behaviors
• Vicarious enjoyment of food (cooking it, serving it, being around it)
• Preoccupation with body weight and image
• Dieting becomes increasingly important
• Denial of the condition can be extreme
• Body image disturbance (misperception of body size and shape)
• Pronounced emotional changes
• Low self-esteem

Warning Signs
Because early detection is key to successful recovery, it is important to recognize the common warning signs of anorexia nervosa:

• Significant or extreme weight loss with no known medical illness
• Reduction in food intake
• Ritualistic eating habits (cutting meat into extremely small bites or chewing every bite excessively)
• Denial of hunger
• Critical and intolerant of others
• Excessive exercising
• Choosing low- to no-fat and low calorie foods
• Feelings of being too fat, especially when this is not true
• Highly self-controlled behavior
• Hiding feelings
• Progressive withdrawal from friends and family

Who’s at Risk
Individuals who:

• Aspire to work in fields with emphasis on thinness
• Previously were overweight or teased about weight
• Have a family history of eating disorders, weight consciousness
• Have low self-esteem, are perfectionists, are socially insecure
• Have families on the extremes of being overprotective or disengaged
• Have a history of physical or sexual abuse
• Present a public image different from how they really feel about themselves
• Have difficulty identifying and/or verbalizing feelings, especially anger