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
serious illness that can cause a variety of effects on the mind.
Anorexia has the “highest death rate of any psychiatric illness” (Yates).
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
affected.
When the body is not fed properly it suffers. Anorexia can cause organs to shut down, which may result in permanent damage or sometimes even death. The organs affected by Anorexia disorder are: the pancreas, kidneys, and the heart. Studies show, “severe anorexia can result in irregular pumping rhythms in the heart.This can lead to dangerously low blood pressure” (Graves, “Chapter Five”). Anorexia can cause osteoporosis or bones that can be easily broken (Graves, “Chapter One”). Anorexia may cause nerve damage as well. This can result in feel being lost in hands or feet (Graves, “Chapter Five”). “Anorexia can cause people to grow fine hairs on their arms, legs, and other body parts. This is their body’s way of trying to keep itself warm when weight drops below a certain point” (Graves, “Chapter One”). The effects of anorexia nervosa can be detrimental or deadly, although there is a cure.
In conclusion, anorexia is a disorder that needs to be taken seriously. 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. Contemporary society and culture puts a great deal of emphasis on being thin, that it leads people dying to be thin.