Final answer:
Anorexia nervosa is most commonly found in the age range of puberty to young adulthood, with females aged 15-19 being most at risk. It results in extreme food intake restriction, and genetics and cultural factors contribute to its development. Serious health issues can arise from anorexia nervosa, including malnutrition and organ failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anorexia nervosa is most likely to occur in the age range of puberty and young adulthood, specifically in females between the ages of 15 and 19. This eating disorder is characterized by severe restriction of food intake and excessive exercising, leading to a body weight that is significantly lower than the minimum normal weight for age and height. People with anorexia nervosa often suffer from a distorted body image, believing they are overweight when they are underweight.
Cultural influences, particularly from Western societies, promote a thin ideal that can contribute to the development of anorexia nervosa in the at-risk population. Besides social factors, genetic predispositions have also been noted as contributors to this disorder. Anorexia nervosa has serious health consequences, including malnutrition, bone loss, heart and kidney failure, and in severe cases, death.