Risky Business Rough Draft

It starts off as a simple diet because everyone can afford to shave off a little of that fat around the waist; especially since swimsuit season is right around the corner. "A little crackers here, carrots and rice crackers later to finish the day. That should suffice." But soon it turns into extreme dieting. A day without food, even a whole week with a punishing workout to follow. Now that mental illness with the image of "thin" on it's mind turns into a disease. Many young teenage girls and boys succumb to this disease based on an unattainable teen image. Skin boned is the new in.

Some pro anorexics believe that the body does not need solid foods once it is used to coping without it. But as the starvation continues the person's body and mind quickly deteriorates. The diets give the person (girl or boy) a false feeling of thinness and accomplishment Anorexia is most common among adolescent girls between ages 13-20; but people of all ages including men and children can suffer from it. The truth is anorexia is a disease that can cause damage to all parts of your body and you can develop serious self esteem issues and health risks.

Being deprived of all nutrition, the body starts to show symptoms of malnutrition. The hair becomes thin and brittle, low blood pressure, kidney failure, low potassium and sodium, constipation/bloating, weak or swollen muscles, problems growing, moody, bad memory, you even have changes in brain chemistry. For many anorexics, self starvation is a way to feel in control. To them self esteem is based entirely on how much you weigh and how thin you are. Restricting food is a way to cope with painful feelings such as anger, shame, and self loathing. Saying "no" to the food, getting the best of hunger, and controlling the scrolling number on the scale make them feel strong and successful.

As technology grows, it is believed that eating disorders and self esteem issues can be from genetics and the environment surrounding the people. research suggests that a genetic predisposition to anorexia may run in families. If a girl had a sibling with self esteem problems or eating disorders; she is 10-20 times more likely to develop anorexia or a self esteem problem herself. People wit anorexia tend to have high levels of cortisol (the brain chemical most related to stress) and decreased levels of serotonin and norepinephrine (which are associated with feelings of well being.)

The severe calorie restriction of anorexia has dire effects. When the body doesn't get the fuel it needs to function normally, it goes into a kind of starvation mode. It slows down to conserve energy and turns in on itself for much needed nutrients. Basically the body begins to consume itself. As the starvation continues and more body fat is lost, the medical complications pile up. Overtime, anorexia causes hair loss, infertility, stunted growth, osteoporosis, heart problems, kidney failure, and even death. Other effects of anorexia include tooth decay and gum damage from malnutrition and vomiting, and damage to the esophagus and larynx from acid reflux. Anorexia can also lead to depression, severe mood swings, and thoughts of suicide. If the disease continues to go unchecked, the health issues only get worse and you may end up losing someone close to you because they thought they were to fat.