An eating disorder is a syndrome in which a person eats in a way which disturbs their physical health. There can be a popular assumption that eating disorders are "female diseases," but the illnesses do not discriminate based on gender, and males can also suffer from them as well. While most people know the names of these specific disorders, not many people are intimately familiar with them. The following will define a few of the more prominent eating disorder plaguing Americans today.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder where the person suffering from the illness voluntarily starves him or herself. There are several psychological, sociological, and psychological components to anorexia nervosa. Primary physiological components are voluntary starvation and exercise stress. Meaning, not only do people suffering from Anorexia nervosa starve themselves, but they will also participate in a ridiculous amounts of physical activity. As a result, many anorexics, it is thought, suffer from serotonin and dopamine abnormalities. There is increased belief that anorexia has a genetic component, with a gene linked to abnormalities with serotonin being shown to be more common amongst sufferers than the general population. Obsessive-compulsive behavior has been linked to anorexia as well.

Psychologically, anorexia nervosa alter's the individual's self body image to the point that they perceive themselves as being fat and overall abhorrent regardless of their actual appearance. The individuals distorted body image in turn creates anxiety and an overwhelming need to lose weight, as that is seen as being the only solution. However, while most attain weight goals and stop, the anorexic will still perceive themselves as being overweight and will continue in their attempts to lose weight. Commonly, the distorted image will result in bouts of depression, self-harm, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The sociological argument suggests that society's obsession with beauty, as depicted generally by extremely thin models in marketing, television, and film aides in distorting the body image of young and impressionable minds. Although there is substance to this argument, there are also reported cases of anorexia in areas of the world where this kind of advertising/mass media simply does not exist.

Anorexia has the highest death rate of any psychiatric illness. Starvation can cause major organs to shut down, and osteoporosis can occur due to poor diet. Heart attack is one of the most common causes of death in anorexics.