Anorexia In-Depth Report

            The New York Times Health Staff wrote an article that is factual and lists: what anorexia nervosa is, cultural pressures, risk factors, age, gender, race and ethnicity, personality disorders, complications of anorexia, hormonal changes, heart disease, effect on fertility and pregnancy, effect on bones and growth, neurological problems, blood problems, multiorgan failure, symptoms specific to anorexia nervosa, diagnosing anorexia, treatment for anorexia, psychological approaches and medications or patients with anorexia nervosa, psychotherapy, and interpersonal therapy. The article defines that anorexia literally means absence of appetite. It is a medical condition that causes a loss of appetite due to a psychological aversion to food that leads to starvation. To be classified as anorexic, you have to lose 15% to 60% of normal body weight. The media and your own biological factors have a role in your appearance. The media uses body images that are unrealistic and make people want to thrive for thin. The article contradicts itself by saying that high calorie foods are vigorously marketed. It creates a confusing message to the public.

            There are about seven million females and one million males who suffer with eating disorders. The most common age and race is in Caucasian middle class adolescents and young adults; although, an eating disorder can occur in any race or socioeconomic level.

            There can be many complications and changes in your body when you have anorexia. The article claims you can go from general poor health to life-threatening conditions. Adolescents are at higher risk for anxiety and depression, suicidal behavior, and alcohol or drug abuse. The hormonal changes impact your health too. Heart disease is the biggest and most common cause of death for people with anorexia. The article states you could have dangerous heart rhythms and abnormalities. For a female, the report says you will eventually lose your menstruation and estrogen levels drop significantly. There is a 90% chance females with anorexia will develop osteopenia, and a 40% chance they will develop osteoporosis. Two thirds of children and adolescent girls will not develop strong bones during their critical growth period, because of developing anorexia. Anyone can develop nerve damage in any part of the body including the brain; even after normal weight is regained, the nerves are still damaged.

            Some symptoms include the following: absent menstrual periods, excessive exercise along with excessive weight loss, refusal to eat, cutting foods into small pieces, wear multiple layers of clothing because of sensitivity to cold and hiding thinning, yellow skin, thinning hair, cold or swollen feet/hands, stomach problems, confused or slow thinking, poor memory or judgment. The purpose of this article is to inform others about anorexia in order to stop people from becoming anorexic. This work is significant because it tells exactly what anorexia is and everything you need to know about it.

. "Anorexia In-Depth Report." nytimes.com. A.D.A.M, 2012. Web. 5 Oct 2012. <http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/anorexia-nervosa/print.html>.

'Wannarexic' Girls Yearn For Eating Disorder

Valerie Bauman argues that wannarexia is commonly found among teenage girls, claiming to have anorexia or wish they did. She claims that many teenage girls want to become skinny for popularity. Bauman develops this claim by first investigating the rate of girls’ BMI’s decreasing and their popularity rising. She states the “phenomenon” is dangerous, because there are web pages and blogs promoting self-starvation.  Bauman illustrates how Dr. Richard Kreipe helped a young, wealthy, popular, woman who had anorexia overcome the illness; then had a young, middle class, not-so-popular, woman come in and ask how much weight she had to lose to become anorexic. She quotes Dr. Tom Kersting, saying that kids follow what others do, and the majority of wealthy, popular girls are skinny. Dr. Tom Kersting also states that the wannarexics are the girls who want to fit in. Bauman states that anorexics are not happy once they lose weight, so they keep going; unlike wannarexic who may be pleased by the weight loss. Dr. Kreipe claims that wannarexics will say they are not happy with their size after losing weight, but will go shopping for tighter outfits or swim suits; although, anorexics are more likely to wear baggy clothes, so no one can tell what their figure looks like. Bauman questions two people who are anorexic or wannarexic. Renee Cloe was wannarexic, and it started with a made-for-TV special on anorexia. She states she was never hospitalized or diagnosed, but did enter an unhealthy weight range. Cloe then states how she recovered and soon found herself binge eating or going on crash diets. Another person Bauman questioned was Josie Walls who has anorexia. Walls states that she is frustrated with the fact that girls want to have an eating disorder, and explains that people with eating disorders suffer. Lastly, the author explains the differences between anorexics and wannarexics. Valerie Bauman’s purpose is to show there is a phenomenon of teenage girls losing weight in order to become popular or fit in. This work is significant because there is not an outbreak of people with eating disorders; it simply is a cultural phenomenon.

Bauman, Valarie. "'Wannarexic' Girls Yearn for Eating Disorder." usatoday.com. Gannett Co. Inc., 04 Aug 2012. Web. 5 Oct 2012. <http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-08-04-wannarexic_N.htm>.

Anorexia Strategy: Family as Doctor

Erica Goode argues that parents could help their child overcome anorexia more than individual therapy. She claims that the disorder is not any one persons fault, and the family should work together to get rid of the illness. Goode developed this claim by first investigating new ways to help people overcome anorexia. Goode illustrates how Dr. James Lock uses this strategy in his own practice. He claims that food is the medicine and the medicine must be delivered. Lock claims that when you stop pressuring a child to eat, they start to eat by themselves. Dr. Katharine L. Loeb claims that parents were confused or unable to discover ways to make their child eat. She states that it does not matter how the child is helped; it matters that the child is helped. Lastly, the author provides a real life situation where this new strategy has worked. Erica Goode’s purpose is to show that family support is more helpful than therapists alone in order to overcome anorexia. This work is significant because the new method of helping people overcome anorexia could turn out to be a breakthrough. 

 

Goode, Erica. "Anorexia Strategy:Family as Doctor." nytimes.com. The New York Times Company, 11 Jun 2002. Web. 5 Oct 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/11/health/anorexia-strategy-family-as-doctor.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm>.