Fbi Claim of Integrity

8 March 2007

In “Medical Complications Occurring in Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa,” published in 2000 in the Western Journal of Medicine, Jeffery M. Brown, Philip S. Mehler, and R. Hill Harris argue that as a result of anorexia, certain health problems can be caused. Growing up today can be a very complicated time in a young person’s life. This is a point when a girl’s body goes through many physical, spiritual, and psychological changes. Sometimes the physical change in a body image may not be what is expected or wanted. Teenagers can become distracted with the idea of their body types not being the same as another peer. Adolescents can have “an intense fear of gaining weight”(par. 2) which puts influence on losing weight. Anorexia nervosa is a problem that can occur from this uncertainty. It is an eating disorder when someone does not allow herself to eat in order to lose weight to be thin. (Para. 1-3)

Anorexia can happen with boys and girls: however, it “most commonly occurs in teenage girls” (par. 4). Evidence of anorexia has seemed to be on the rise for the past few years. It might not be that it is on the rise, just that “patients hide their illness” (par. 4) more in earlier years than they do now. Some adolescents may not be able to differentiate between dieting and just not eating. Young girls may start out on a diet with this becoming so strict that it can turn into anorexia. Occasionally, being active in extracurricular activities, such as “modeling and ballet” (par. 5) or cheerleading can lead to this eating problem. Extracurricular activities are not the only activities that can play a role. “Substance misuse” (par. 5), “stressful life events” (par. 5), and negative words from friends or family members might influence this illness. Anorexia is thought of as having the “highest mortality of all the psychiatric diseases” (par. 6). It can also often lead to suicide if bad enough. (para. 4-6)

Anorexia nervosa can lead to health dilemmas. These problems can occur because of such a drastic loss in weight. An example of a medical complication that can take place is a gastrointestinal problem. Some patients have “complaints of abdominal bloating and constipation” (par. 8). The bloating and constipation can be caused because of having “a prolongation of gastrointestinal transit time” (par. 8). If the patient would eat more often but smaller amounts each time, this problem would get better. (para. 7-8)

Endocrine problems can also occur. These are the type of medical complications to cause “the most danger in the long term if they are