Anorexia Nervosa - Introduction: Statement of the Problem

Introduction: Statement of the Problem Generally speaking in Western society, the incidence of eating disorders is on the rise, and no longer limited to the teenage female demographic. Startling statistics now indicate that onset of anorexia nervosa in females is beginning at a much earlier age and across more racially and ethnically diverse lines (Grover, Keel, & Mitchell, 2008). While the characteristics of the afflicted population are changing, so too are some of the theories about the disease’s origin. Consequently, the current literature has done and in depth exploration and outline of some of the more prominent etiological models of eating disorders. Overall, the scope of the modern literature is limited to a discussion of the causes and implications of eating disorders in females. Much of the body of present research conducted on this topic has been done with an exclusively female population. Since the underlying causes of anorexia nervosa are different for women than they are for men, it is nearly impossible to draw parallels across both genders (Grove et al., 2008). However, acknowledging that the disease is devastating to both groups, the exclusion of males from the discussion is in no way an attempt to minimize the effects of eating disorders on this population.
Summary: Purpose of the Study Before launching into a discussion of the underlying causes of anorexia nervosa, it is important to clarify exactly what the disease entails. The Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (Text Revised, Fourth Edition), defines anorexia nervosa as a mental disorder characterized by “severe disturbances in eating behavior” and a “refusal to maintain a minimally normal body weight” (APA, 2000). Additionally, the individual exhibits an extreme fear of gaining weight, and harbors intense distortions in body image perception (APA, 2000). This fear of “becoming fat” persists despite weight loss. In individuals with anorexia

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