by Maya Vokes-Didier

Created on: February 12, 2011

When Karen Carpenter of the famous ‘Carpenters’ music duo died of complications related to her battle with anorexia nervosa in 1983, the world suddenly became aware of this eating disorder overnight. Before then, stray cases of this condition were documented in history since the 16th century, but the name ‘anorexia nervosa’ itself was only coined much later in 1873 by William Gull, who was personal physician to Queen Victoria.

Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder born out of a mental health condition. Characterized by strong fears of being fat and wanting to be thin, the condition takes a huge toll on the body, with between 5 – 10% of anorexics dying within 10 years after contracting the disease. According to data published in 2004 by the World Health Organization, America has the highest number of deaths from eating disorders every year, followed closely by Japan.

Causes of anorexia nervosa

A combination of the following factors are said to be responsible for this condition, which usually develops during puberty among both men and women.  

♦ Psychological factors – Phases of low self esteem during puberty, obsessive and compulsive behavior, depression, emotional or sexual abuse, and an intense desire for perfection, are all likely psychological causes.

♦ Media pressures – Media has always portrayed slim models as being the epitome of perfection and beauty. Shop windows have clothes displayed on pencil-thin mannequins. This media-driven public perception plays a role in shaping the self-image of teenagers as they are growing up.

♦ Family influences – Poor parenting, negative parental behavior and attitudes, substance abuse and alcoholism in parents, parental pressure on their adolescent son or daughter to lose weight, and an older sibling who is slimmer are all factors that can trigger the disorder.

♦ Genetic influences – Specific chromosomes and certain proteins (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), that seem to have a hereditary connection, have been found to be associated with eating disorders.

Symptoms and warning signals

Eating as little as possible, vomiting soon after a meal, and exercising excessively are all symptoms and signs to watch out for. Anorexia nervosa makes its victims become obsessive about what they eat, so much so they even deliberately lie that they have already eaten when they actually have not. Despite being thin, anorexics repeatedly complain

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