ntly, these signs and symptoms are not readily noticeable until the more advanced stages of the disorder are reached. Anorexics often do their best to hide the changes in their appearances and their eating behaviors.

So, if you are worried about a loved one or someone in your family, be wary of the following warning signs:

. Person frequently skip meals and make excuses for not eating (e.g. already ate earlier, not feeling well, etc.).
. Develops an obsession with "healthy" foods and recipes (prefers to eat only low calorie and low fat foods).
. Develops unusual eating habits (cuts food into very small pieces, picks at food, moves food

With the ever-increasing number of Americans with obesity problems, cases of anorexia are also noticeably on the rise. Technically, anorexia nervosa (or anorexia) is an eating disorder that generally afflicts teenage girls and young women. An estimated 0.5 to 3.7% of all American females suffer from this condition at least once in their lives.

Anorexics commonly have extremely distorted senses of self-image that they think of themselves as overweight even when they are already dangerously thin.

Although anorexia may seem like a preoccupation over food and weight control, there is more to it than just the issue of food. Most anorexics use food to cope up with their emotional problems and are craving to exert some control over their lives. They feel that if they can't control what is happening in their lives or in their environment, they can at least exert control over their food intake and their weight.

Most anorexics are perfectionists. They have very high standards and often feel the need to prove themselves. They feel that in exerting strict control over their diets they can achieve their projected state of perfection. Those afflicted with this condition often relate their worth with how thin they have become.

There are anorexics who put severe restrictions on their food intake in order to achieve their desired "perfect" state of emaciation while there are also those who go on a binge/purge cycle. Anorexics also tend to exercise excessively to further lose weight.

Aside from drastic weight loss, there are several physical and emotional signs indicating the onset of the disorder.

Among the more evident physical signs are noticeable thinness, brittle nails, thinning and/or falling hair, appearance of fine downy body hairs ("lanugo"), drying of the skin and/or dehydration and the intolerance of cold. Anorexics may likewise have abnormal blood counts, frequent dizzy spells or even fainting episodes, miss regular monthly periods, are usually constipated, have low blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms. They also tire very easily and may eventually develop osteoporosis.

Anorexics tend to develop certain emotional and behavioral characteristics, which may indicate the inception of the disorder. They may make frequent excuses to avoid eating at meal times and usually deny that they feel hungry. They exercise to the point of exhaustion and have difficulty in concentrating. They often have flat moods or display a total lack of emotion. Anorexics also exhibit an unusual preoccupation with food. They make sure that they only eat "healthy" foods, weigh their foods and constantly count calories.

Apparently, these signs and symptoms are not readily noticeable until the more advanced stages of the disorder are reached. Anorexics often do their best to hide the changes in their appearances and their eating behaviors.

So, if you are worried about a loved one or someone in your family, be wary of the following warning signs:

. Person frequently skip meals and make excuses for not eating (e.g. already ate earlier, not feeling well, etc.).
. Develops an obsession with "healthy" foods and recipes (prefers to eat only low calorie and low fat foods).
. Develops unusual eating habits (cuts food into very small pieces, picks at food, moves food

with their emotional problems and are craving to exert some control over their lives. They feel that if they can't control what is happening in their lives or in their environment, they can at least exert control over their food intake and their weight.

Most anorexics are perfectionists. They have very high standards and often feel the need to prove themselves. They feel that in exerting strict control over their diets they can achieve their projected state of perfection. Those afflicted with this condition often relate their worth with how thin they have become.

There are anorexics who put severe restrictions on their food intake in order to achieve their desired "perfect" state of emaciation while there are also those who go on a binge/purge cycle. Anorexics also tend to exercise excessively to further lose weight.

Aside from drastic weight loss, there are several physical and emotional signs indicating the onset of the disorder.

Among the more evident physical signs are noticeable thinness, brittle nails, thinning and/or falling hair, appearance of fine downy body hairs ("lanugo"), drying of the skin and/or dehydration and the intolerance of cold. Anorexics may likewise have abnormal blood counts, frequent dizzy spells or even fainting episodes, miss regular monthly periods, are usually constipated, have low blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms. They also tire very easily and may eventually develop osteoporosis.

Anorexics tend to develop certain emotional and behavioral characteristics, which may indicate the inception of the disorder. They may make frequent excuses to avoid eating at meal times and usually deny that they feel hungry. They exercise to the point of exhaustion and have difficulty in concentrating. They often have flat moods or display a total lack of emotion. Anorexics also exhibit an unusual preoccupation with food. They make sure that they only eat "healthy" foods, weigh their foods and constantly count calories.

Apparently, these signs and symptoms are not readily noticeable until the more advanced stages of the disorder are reached. Anorexics often do their best to hide the changes in their appearances and their eating behaviors.

So, if you are worried about a loved one or someone in your family, be wary of the following warning signs:

. Person frequently skip meals and make excuses for not eating (e.g. already ate earlier, not feeling well, etc.).
. Develops an obsession with "healthy" foods and recipes (prefers to eat only low calorie and low fat foods).
. Develops unusual eating habits (cuts food into very small pieces, picks at food, moves food

their desired "perfect" state of emaciation while there are also those who go on a binge/purge cycle. Anorexics also tend to exercise excessively to further lose weight.

Aside from drastic weight loss, there are several physical and emotional signs indicating the onset of the disorder.

Among the more evident physical signs are noticeable thinness, brittle nails, thinning and/or falling hair, appearance of fine downy body hairs ("lanugo"), drying of the skin and/or dehydration and the intolerance of cold. Anorexics may likewise have abnormal blood counts, frequent dizzy spells or even fainting episodes, miss regular monthly periods, are usually constipated, have low blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms. They also tire very easily and may eventually develop osteoporosis.

Anorexics tend to develop certain emotional and behavioral characteristics, which may indicate the inception of the disorder. They may make frequent excuses to avoid eating at meal times and usually deny that they feel hungry. They exercise to the point of exhaustion and have difficulty in concentrating. They often have flat moods or display a total lack of emotion. Anorexics also exhibit an unusual preoccupation with food. They make sure that they only eat "healthy" foods, weigh their foods and constantly count calories.

Apparently, these signs and symptoms are not readily noticeable until the more advanced stages of the disorder are reached. Anorexics often do their best to hide the changes in their appearances and their eating behaviors.

So, if you are worried about a loved one or someone in your family, be wary of the following warning signs:

. Person frequently skip meals and make excuses for not eating (e.g. already ate earlier, not feeling well, etc.).
. Develops an obsession with "healthy" foods and recipes (prefers to eat only low calorie and low fat foods).
. Develops unusual eating habits (cuts food into very small pieces, picks at food, moves food

d, have low blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms. They also tire very easily and may eventually develop osteoporosis.

Anorexics tend to develop certain emotional and behavioral characteristics, which may indicate the inception of the disorder. They may make frequent excuses to avoid eating at meal times and usually deny that they feel hungry. They exercise to the point of exhaustion and have difficulty in concentrating. They often have flat moods or display a total lack of emotion. Anorexics also exhibit an unusual preoccupation with food. They make sure that they only eat "healthy" foods, weigh their foods and constantly count calories.

Apparently, these signs and symptoms are not readily noticeable until the more advanced stages of the disorder are reached. Anorexics often do their best to hide the changes in their appearances and their eating behaviors.

So, if you are worried about a loved one or someone in your family, be wary of the following warning signs:

. Person frequently skip meals and make excuses for not eating (e.g. already ate earlier, not feeling well, etc.).
. Develops an obsession with "healthy" foods and recipes (prefers to eat only low calorie and low fat foods).
. Develops unusual eating habits (cuts food into very small pieces, picks at food, moves food

ntly, these signs and symptoms are not readily noticeable until the more advanced stages of the disorder are reached. Anorexics often do their best to hide the changes in their appearances and their eating behaviors.

So, if you are worried about a loved one or someone in your family, be wary of the following warning signs:

. Person frequently skip meals and make excuses for not eating (e.g. already ate earlier, not feeling well, etc.).
. Develops an obsession with "healthy" foods and recipes (prefers to eat only low calorie and low fat foods).
. Develops unusual eating habits (cuts food into very small pieces, picks at food, moves food around the plate without eating it, spits food after chewing, carefully weighs and portions food). . Checks weight repeatedly within the day.
. Wears loose and baggy clothes and/or layered clothing.
. Constantly complains about getting fat and gaining weight.

If someone you know exhibits these warning signs, urge him or her to talk to a doctor. Remember that early detection and diagnosis is necessary to increase the chances of recovery from this condition.