Anorexia nervosa—thinness as illness

Preview

In recent years, much has been written and said about eating disorders. Although the anorexia nervosa syndrome is not a “new” disorder, it appears to be on the increase as society becomes more preoccupied with the pursuit of thinness. While the syndrome has for many years been approached almost exclusively as a psychologic disorder, recent studies have also concentrated on possible biologic abnormalities. Dr Provenzale presents an up-to-date review of this curious, potentially lethal, and not uncommon disorder.