According to the DSM-IV, anorexia nervosa is characterized by a refusal to maintain body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image and amenorrhea (Polivy) . According to the Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, “up to 24 million people of all ages and genders suffer from eating disorders in the United States” (Siber 331). Anorexia is thought to affect girls in their adolescence and rarely affects men. A person suffering from anorexia is afraid of being overweight and weighs 15% less than his ideal weight. Those suffering from anorexia will pursue extreme dieting, exercise, and use of laxatives. They will skip meals and even starve. They will binge and purge every time they decide to eat (Post). This will make them very moody and affect their cognitive functions (Brockmeyera). Anorexia can be fatal to one's health and can lead to suicide (Silber). Anorexia nervosa can be caused by peer pressure from family and friends, teasing and bullying at school, resulting in psychological problems and can lead a person to inflict pain on themselves and can lead to serious health conditions. In this article I will demonstrate that anorexia nervosa, which is an eating disorder in adolescents, can have detrimental health effects and cause psychological, physical and emotional harm. Anorexia appears to affect girls in many cultures; however, it is often found in industrialized societies, where being thin corresponds to being attractive (Post). It's unclear what directly causes the onset of an eating disorder, but there are some risk factors that may contribute. Many things can push a person over the edge and turn them into something they would like... middle of paper... orders." Annual Review of Psychology 53(2002): 187-213. ProQuest. Web. November 10, 2013.? Post, Study Supports Family Therapy for Anorexia: Belvoir Media Group, LLC, (2010). Web M, RD, PhD., McWilliams, Rita, PhD., MPH and Carol Byrd-Bredbenner “Fat, Fat, Two for four: History of weight disorders and disordered eating in young adult women." Health 103.3 (2013): 508-15 ProQuest Web November 19, 2013. Silber, Tomas J., Laura Lyster-Mensh, and Jennifer DuVal. "Anorexia Nervosa: Pediatric Nursing 37.6 (2011): 331-3, 17 October 2013. Wentz, Elisabet, et al and self-injurious behavior 18 years after adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa." European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 21.8 (2012) : 421-32 Web. 2013.