Definition

Anorexia is an eating disorder. It occurs when a person's obsession with diet and exercise leads to extreme weight loss. The disorder is considered if a person refuses to maintain a body weight at or above 85% of their ideal body weight. It can be fatal.

Causes

The cause of anorexia is not known. It appears that genetics and environment play a role.

Risk Factors    TOP

A risk factor increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for anorexia include:

• Sex: female
• Age: adolescence or early adulthood
• Low self-esteem
• Feelings of helplessness
• Perfectionism
• Fear of becoming overweight
• Familial pressure to be thin
• Families that are overprotective, rigid, not involved, or in conflict
• Family history of eating disorders
• Emotional stress
• Mood disorders, such as depression or generalized anxiety disorder
• Personality disorders
• Influenced by social and fashion trends emphasizing or glamorizing thinness

Symptoms    TOP

Symptoms may include:

• Excessive weight loss
• Obsession with food, calories, and fat content
• Dieting even when thin
• Intense fear of gaining weight, even when underweight
• Body dysmorphia—distorted self-image of being overweight despite evidence of the opposite
• Basing self-evaluation heavily on body weight or shape
• Loss of menstrual periods (secondary amenorrhea) or delay in menarche (beginning of periods)
• Excessive exercising
• Feeling cold, especially hands and feet
• Being secretive about food
• Hair loss and/or growth of fine hair on the body
• Fainting or severe light-headedness
• Constipation
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Heart palpitations

Anorexia often leads to a number of serious medical problems including:

• Amenorrhea (loss of periods)
• Osteoporosis
• Cardiac problems—can be fatal

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Diagnosis    TOP

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. There will also be psychological tests. There may be lab tests. Findings may include:

• Excessive loss of body fat
• Loss of muscle mass
• Low heart rate
• Low blood pressure, particularly when standing
• Decreased bone density
• Signs of a slow metabolism

Treatment    TOP

The goal of treatment is to get you back to a healthy weight and keep you there. A healthy weight is above 85% of your ideal weight. To achieve this, your intake of calories is gradually increased. This can be accomplished through a number of interventions, including the following:

Prevention    TOP

There are no guidelines for preventing anorexia. Early detection and treatment is the best option.