Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is a condition characterized by intense fear of gaining weight or becoming obese, as well as a distorted body image, leading to an excessive weight loss from restricting food intake and excessive exercise. 

The term “anorexia nervosa” (from the Latin words meaning "nervous loss of appetite”) was first used  by the English physician Sir William Gull (December 31, 1816 – 29 January 1890) in his 1873 paper "Anorexia Nervosa (Apepsia Hysterica, Anorexia Hysterica)". It refers to a psychological illness mainly affecting young women, which results in an excessive weight loss due to a restricted food intake.

The image below is a reproduction of two photographs taken in 1866 and 1870 (photographer unknown). It depicts Miss A, an unnamed patient of Sir William Gull, before and after treatment for anorexia nervosa. Gull used these images to illustrate "Anorexia Nervosa (Apepsia Hysterica, Anorexia Hysterica)."

Many experts belief that Wuthering Heights author Emily Bronte was an anorexic. Her desire for control over her life manifested itself not only in the creation of imaginary worlds, but also in a refusal to eat normally. Emily was sixteen inches (40.64 cms) across when she was measured for her coffin, indicating the tiny body within. 

Giorgio Armani was the first designer to ban models with a body mass index of under 18, after models Ana Carolina Reston and Luisel Ramos starved themselves to death due to anorexia nervosa in 2006.

A standard Barbie doll is 11.5 inches tall, giving a height of 5 feet 9 inches at 1/6 scale. Barbie's vital statistics have been estimated at 36 inches (chest), 18 inches (waist) and 33 inches (hips) weighing 110 lbs, This means Barbie would have a BMI of 16.24 and fit the weight criteria for anorexia.

Pigs suffer from anorexia.

The causes of anorexia nervosa are not known. 

No generally recognized therapy for anorexia nervosa exists. It is often associated with depression and low self-esteem, and patients may benefit from treatment with antidepressant drugs. 

Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any psychological disorder — between 5% and 20% eventually die from it.

Here is a list of songs about eating disorders.

Source Funk & Wagnells Encyclopedia