Anorexia is an eating disorder which is characterized by unusually low body weight, food self-deprivation, a severe fear of gaining weight, and a craving to be thin. Even though people suffering from anorexia are underweight, they consider themselves as obese. Anorexic people are often in self-denial concerning their low body weight.

anorexia

The symptoms

Signs that someone is anorexic include the following:

  • They frequently weigh themselves.
  • They eat small amounts of food.
  • They only eat certain foods.
  • They exercise excessively.
  • They force themselves to throw up.
  • They might use laxatives so that they can lose weight.

Complications

As a consequence, anorexia may lead to severe health problems. The complications may include among other things:

  • Osteoporosis (bone loss).
  • Infertility.
  • Heart damage.
  • In males, reduced levels of testosterone.
  • In women, absence of menstrual periods.
  • Kidney problems.

Psychologically, people suffering from anorexia are often depressed.

How do you think?

  1. Although anorexic people see themselves as underweight, they work hard to lose more weight.
    a.  True
    b.  False
  2. People with anorexia suffer from physical as well as psychological complications.
    a.  True
    b.  False
  3. Culture may play a role in the emergence of anorexia.
    a.  True
    b.  False
  4. The treatment of anorexia involves mainly medications.
    a.  True
    b.  False
 

 

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