Anorexia Nervosa

Research the epidemiology of the condition

how common is this problem? How many new cases are there a year? Who gets it and
why? what risk factors might there be? are there genetic components?
Discss the conse!ences of the problem
physical symptoms" limitations and possible effects on the patients life
Discss the key psychological factors
# health beliefs
# behavior
# personality
# illness cognitions
# adherence to treatment
# stress
# addictive behavior
#
Discss the role of the health psychologist in management of the condition
health psychologist might help them overcome these difficlties$
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characteri%ed by refsal to stay at a normal
healthy weight and self#starvation$ An individal sffering from anorexia refses to
maintain body weight within &' percent of an individals minimal normal weight$ (ther
symptoms of anorexia nervosa inclde intense fear of weight gain" a distorted body
image" and amenorrhea in women$ )his essay will discss the epidemiology" the
conse!ence" the key psychological factors and the role of the healthpsychologist in
management of anorexia nervosa$
)he average prevalence of anorexia nervosa among women in the *nited +tates and
western ,rope is between -$./ and 0$&/ of the poplation$ )he condition largely
affects yong woman adlts between &' # &1 years old which is arond 2-/ of all cases$
3t is more prevalent in the pper social classes and less cases happen in nder developed
contries$ )here is no single known case of anorexia$ 3t is a real" treatable medical
illnesses which can be cased by cltre" families" life changing or stressfl events"
personality traits or genes$ Women in the *nited +tates are nder constant pressre to fit
in the society with a certain ideal of beaty$ 4lawless and thin females everywhere makes
it hard for women to feel good abot their bodies" therefore" they are feeling pressred to
have the perfect body$ Having mothers or sisters with anorexia increases the chances of
the individal developing anorexia$ 5hildren with parents who think looks are important"
diet nhealthily themselves or critici%ing their childrens bodies are more likely to have
anorexia$ 3t can also be led by tramatic events as well as stressfl things$ 6oreover"
7enes" hormones and chemicals in the brain may be factors in developing anorexia$
+tarvation can have very serios effects on all ma8or body systems and organs