Anorexia nervosa.(Disease/Disorder overview)

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by conscious, deliberate and sustained weight loss. Sufferers starve themselves and take steps to control their appetite, as in many cases they see themselves as overweight. This disorder occurs most commonly in adolescent girls and young women, although it may rarely affect young men.

The victims of anorexia are usually more than 15% underweight for their height. Sufferers display an intense fear of becoming obese and thus continue to try and lose weight by over exercising, taking laxatives, dieting or even starving themselves. The preoccupation with food and weight often masks other underlying psychological …