This is Dr. Steven Andrew Davis, Speaking of Health. Setting the stage for this disorder is the popularity of dieting in this country. Some studies suggest that more than half of all normal weight teenage girls see themselves as overweight. The frequency of anorexia nervosa in the US population is estimated to be 5 to 10 new cases per hundred thousand per year.
Many people already have a concept of the typical anorexia nervosa patient.
She's a high school girl who is so concerned about eating fat that she grossly under eats or stops eating altogether. Boys may also be affected, so can children and adults. And there is no doubt that this illness is society-related. Ironically, the typical anorexic teenage girl becomes that way as a part of her quest for success and excellence. She wants to be perfect and is usually a good student.