Final answer:
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder with psychological features like body dysmorphic disorder, leading to behavioral patterns of food restriction and excessive exercising, resulting in physical impacts such as bone loss and heart issues. It is more prevalent in females and has a prevalence ranging from below one percent to slightly over four percent.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anorexia Nervosa: Overview
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by the persistent restriction of food intake, leading to significantly low body weight. Individuals with this disorder have an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, often perceiving themselves as overweight despite being underweight.
Psychological Features
Psychologically, anorexia is associated with a distorted body image, which may be part of a broader condition known as body dysmorphic disorder. Sufferers often experience severe anxiety about weight gain and exhibit obsessive behaviors around food and body size.
Behavioral Features
Behavioral symptoms include drastic food restriction, excessive exercising, and often, behaviors aimed at weight loss that may have serious health consequences.
Physical Features
Physically, anorexia can lead to a multitude of health issues, such as bone loss, heart and kidney problems, and in women, amenorrhea, which is the loss of menstrual periods.
Epidemiological Aspects
Epidemiologically, anorexia nervosa is more prevalent among females, particularly young girls and women in Western societies, although it can occur in males and other demographics as well. The prevalence rates of anorexia typically range from under one percent to just over four percent in women.