Dying To Be Thin Research Paper

Dying To Be Thin “An estimated 8 million Americans have eating disorders.” Anorexia nervosa (anorexia) is a serious eating disorder that causes people to often drop “below 85 percent” of their body weight (Graves, “Chapter One”). Anorexia is about perception, what victims see in the mirror is someone who is “fat”. Anorexia can cause serious health problems; although, it can be cured. To understand the terrible disease anorexia one must understand what causes it, the effects it has on the mind, and the effects it has on the body. Anorexia victims may see being thin as the key to happiness and success. It is proven that television is a leading cause of anorexia. For example, in Fiji, “big women were considered beautiful. After the television arrived in 1995, Fiji girls began talking about diets. By 1998, Fiji girls said they felt ‘too big’ or ‘fat’”. Magazines and Billboards are another leading cause of anorexia. They advertise thin, beautiful models who always appear to be having fun. Stress is another cause of the disease, events in a person’s life can lead to anorexia. People with depression or low self-esteem are prone to anorexia, thinking that skinniness will solve all their problems (Graves, “Chapter Four”). Anorexia is a
Anorexia can cause a chemical imbalance on the minds of its victims. Although, researchers are not sure if “the imbalances cause the eating disorder or if the disorder causes the imbalances.” Two vital missing nutrients in an anorexic diet are zinc and serotonin (Graves, “Chapter Four”). A victim may feel guilt or shame. Anorexia can cause serious hallucinations. In this case, most often may be tasting things that are not actually there (Graves, “Chapter Five”). Anxiety is another symptom often caused by anorexia (Lisa). Anorexia can cause the sufferer to see a distorted image of himself or herself. The mind is not the only part affected, the body is also