Solving the Anorexia Puzzle: A Scientific Approach

John Jacono is an assistant professor of nursing at Laurentian
University.

Doctors Epling and Pierce suggest that many of the eating disorders
previously diagnosed as anorexia nervosa rightly belong to a completely
different category of human behaviors: activity anorexia. In their
highly readable style, the authors examine the history of anorexia
nervosa, its incidence, parameters for diagnoses, and the many treatment
modalities aimed at attenuating its devastating effects. Anorexia
nervosa has been commonly viewed as a neurotic syndrome, a condition to
be treated as a psychiatric problem. From their examination of diverse
clinical experiments that use the animal model, Epling and Pierce
conclude that, in a number of instances, any human who undertakes a
regime of stringent exercise and dieting can attain the same debilitated
state as those with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa.

Although unrealistic sociocultural beliefs, biophysiologic traits, and
significant relationships must remain subject to individualized
intervention, under this model the all-encompassing predisposing
psychiatric component is replaced by an emphasis on taking the
“strenuous” out of exercise and the “stringent” out of dieting.
Once this is accomplished, the authors contend, other problems can be
dealt with.

This book is of particular interest to those in professional contact
with young people. It may guide in the early determination of those
particularly at risk, thus obviating the need for hospital intervention.
It may also be particularly helpful in dispelling the fear of
psychiatric stigma in those who have been identified as at risk.
Finally, there is sufficient room for discussion and research in this
thesis, which can only benefit those who fall prey to this condition in
the future.