Anorexia Nervosa

What, exactly, does anorexia nervosa do inside the human body? The heart and bones suffer the most.

WebMD community member Melissa Schlothan struggled with anorexia -- until she literally ran from her compulsion.

A teen turned to dieting as a way of dealing with strong emotions, and later started her own anorexia-focused web site.

A woman in her mid-40s becomes obsessed with losing weight and eating as little as possible.

The supermodel's bout with poor self-image and anorexia led to emotional breakdowns and finally heart surgery at age 30.

Restricting her diet from her teenage years to college finally led to collapse and recovery at a clinic.

Many girls with eating disorders turn to pro-anorexia web sites, where they find peer support but usually little help in treatment and recovery.

Anorexia is getting older – and younger – and not just white and female. What's going on?

Women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s are showing signs of anorexia or bulimia. The problem often begins so subtly that neither she nor her family realizes what's happening, experts say.

When someone finds self-identity and sense of purpose in a disease, treatment can be extremely difficult. That's the case with anorexia, say experts -- a seductive illness that becomes like a friend, and serves as a passport to a secret community.

Often created by teens for teens, these sites offer a unique perspective on anorexia and bulimia. But experts worry: Do they encourage a positive view of illness?

For worried parents, there may be some good news: How active you are could be the key to effective treatment.

New research suggest a person's genes may point to a propensity for developing an eating disorder.