Of all the mental illnesses found in the world, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate. Anorexia nervosa is one of the most common eating disorders in society, along with bulimia nervosa. Despite numerous definitions, anorexia nervosa is simply defined as the refusal to maintain normal body weight (Michel, 2003). Anorexia nervosa is derived from two Latin words meaning “nervous inability to eat” (Frey, 2002). Although anorexics, those who suffer from anorexia, have this "nervous inability to eat", this does not mean that they have no appetite: anorexics literally starve themselves. They feel like they cannot trust or believe their perceptions of hunger and fullness (Abraham, 2008). Anorexics lose at least 15 percent of their normal weight for their height (Michel, 2003). This weight loss is significant enough to cause malnutrition with an impairment of normal bodily functions and rational thinking (Lucas, 2004). Anorexics have an unrealistic view of their body: they believe they are overweight, even if the mirror and their friends or family say otherwise. They often weigh themselves because they have an irrational fear of gaining weight or becoming obese (Abraham, 2008). Many anorexics derive their own self-worth and self-worth from weight, size, and shape (“Body Image and Disordered Eating,” 2000). The obsession with losing weight more and more and limiting food consumption compromises the health of people suffering from anorexia. No matter how much weight they lose or how much their health is in danger, anorexics will never be satisfied with their bodies and will continue to lose even more weight. When considering the relationship between sex and eating disorders, more than 90 percent of people with anorexics will never be satisfied with their bodies and will continue to lose even more weight. ..... middle of document ......l, DM and Willard, SG (2003). When dieting becomes dangerous: a guide to understanding and treating anorexia and bulimia [Ebrary version]. Retrieved from http://libproxy.utdallas.edu/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/utdallas/Doc?id=10170079&ppg=4National Eating Disorders Association. (nd). Who we are. Retrieved from http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/who-we-are Shapiro, C. M. (2012). Eating disorders: causes, diagnosis and treatments [Ebrary version]. Retrieved from http://libproxy.utdallas.edu/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/utdallas/Doc?id=10683384&ppg=3South Carolina Department of Mental Health. (2006). Eating disorder statistics. Retrieved from http://www.state.sc.us/dmh/anorexia/statistics.htmUnited States Department of Agriculture. (nd). Eating disorders. Retrieved from http://www.dm.usda.gov/ocpm/SecurityGuideEmployees/Eap/Eating.htm