Final answer:
Per the DSM-IV-TR, a person must have a weight loss of at least 15% below normal to be diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder characterized by extremely low body weight due to starvation or excessive exercise.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the DSM-IV-TR, to be diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, a person's weight loss must be at least 15% below normal. This eating disorder is characterized by an individual maintaining body weight that is well below average through starvation and/or excessive exercise. Individuals with anorexia nervosa often endure a distorted body image, seeing themselves as overweight even when they are severely underweight, which can lead to serious health issues like bone loss, heart failure, and in severe cases, death.The DSM-IV-TR, which stands for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition,
Text Revision, provides criteria for the diagnosis of mental disorders. According to the DSM-IV-TR, to be diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, a person's weight loss must be at least 15% below normal body weight for their age and height. Therefore, the correct answer is:This criterion reflects the severe restriction of food intake leading to significantly low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. It's important to note that the DSM-5, the updated version of the manual, replaced the specific percentage criterion with a broader emphasis on low body weight in relation to what is expected for the individual's age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health.