By: Birch Bansgrove &
Avery Nelson (Seward)
What is the definition to this illness?
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by a distorted
body image and self-starvation despite extremely low body-weight.
 An individual suffering from anorexia weigh less than 85 percent of
his or her Average weight and experiences re scared to gain weight
and to be seen.
 This eating disorder mostly affects young women, but recent
researches have shown middle-aged women and young men.
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What Does It Affect?
This disorder has many effects on the
human body. It is a very serious matter
because it can lead to death. It can also
the these following problems…
Problems.
Physical Problems
 Organ Damage
 Digestive system damage
 Hormonal Changes
 Psychological Effects and Suicide.
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Physical Effects
Anorexia can lead to Malnutrition and dehydration.
 Lack of essential energy requirements and nutrients tax the entire
body and can result in electrolyte disturbances such as
hypokalemia (low blood potassium) and hyponatremia (low blood
sodium), among others.
 Electrolyte disturbances, in turn, can cause heart arrhythmias,
irregular heartbeats, and even Heart attacks.

Organ Damage
The heart is not the only organ in the cardiovascular system
that can be affected by anorexia.
 The blood itself may also be damaged. Abnormal blood counts
and anemia (low red blood cells or abnormal red blood cells
with impaired oxygen-carrying capacity) are not uncommon.
 People with Anorexia Nervosa may also bruise easily.
 Low blood pressure can also be an effect and cause dizziness
and fainting.

Digestive system damage
The digestive system is affected as well. Besides experiencing
constant hunger pangs, constipation or bloating may occur. The
stomach may shrink in size, making the reintroduction of food
troublesome.
 The kidneys are not immune either. Further effects of anorexia
nervosa may include kidneys stones and even kidney failure.

Psychological Effects and Suicide
Adolescents with eating behaviors associated with anorexia
(fasting, frequent exercise to lose weight, and self-induced
vomiting) are at high risk for anxiety and depression in young
adulthood.
 Alcohol and drug abuse are more common in patients with
anorexia.
 Suicide has been estimated to account for as many as half the
deaths in anorexia with studies showing up to a fifth of anorexic
patients attempting suicide.
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Hormonal Changes
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One of the most serious effects of anorexia is hormonal
changes, which can have severe health consequences.
Reproductive hormones, including estrogen and
dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), are lower. Estrogen is
important for healthy hearts and bones. DHEA, a weak male
hormone, may also be important for bone health and for other
functions.
Thyroid hormones are lower.
Stress hormones are higher.
Growth hormones are lower.
The result of many of these hormonal abnormalities in women is
long-term, irregular or absent menstruation (amenorrhea). This
can occur early on in anorexia, even before severe weight loss.
Over time this causes infertility, bone loss, and other problems.
Low weight alone may not be sufficient to cause amenorrhea.
Extreme fasting and purging behaviors may play an even
stronger role in hormonal disturbance.
Why do people become anorexic?

People become anorexic for many
different reasons, but usually people
become anorexic from and constant
pressure to fit a cultural ideal of the
perfect person. Often this ideal of
perfect is impossible to achieve, but this
doesn’t stop people from trying, even if
what they’re doing is dangerous and
possibly lethal.
Signs that someone might be anorexic
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Making her or himself throw up
Taking pills to urinate or have a bowel
movement
Taking diet pills
Not eating or eating very little
Exercising a lot, even in bad weather or when
hurt or tired
Weighing food and counting calories
Eating very small amounts of only certain
foods
Moving food around the plate instead of eating
it
Treatment for anorexia
Ideally, someone recovering from anorexia
should be aided by a team of professional
health care workers, such as councilors,
nutrition councilors, doctors and
physiologists.
 For a teenager with anorexia, family will
play a huge part in recovery. Mental
support, emotional and physical support is
key.
 Once recovered an individual will have to
develop a plan to deal with stress and
coping with problems to prevent relapse.
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