A. Overview of Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterized as a progressively increasing health problem affecting a large percentage of the female population worldwide. According to the Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders [RCF], (2003), up to 24 million people in the nation and 70 million people worldwide are disturbed by all categories of eating disorders (RCF, 2003). More specifically, anorexia is third in the list of the most widespread prolonged illnesses among the pubescent female population (RCF, 2003). To understand how anorexia nervosa is such a substantial problem and the history behind the issue, it is necessary to first identify and analyze the eating disorder. According to the American Psychiatric Association [APA], (2000), DSM-IV-TR: 307.1 lists four critical principles for the evaluation of anorexia nervosa: (a) challenge when it comes to managing an appropriate weight for age and height , (b) acute distress due to excessive avoidance, (c) extremely distorted body image, (d) and lack of menstruation in postmenarcheal women (DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000). In other words, anorexia is a psychiatric disease indicated by disturbed food consumption patterns, characterized by recurrent rejection of food and other vital nutrients, which ultimately results in dangerous, inadequate body mass and potentially serious medical complications (Alton I., 2005, p. 137-8). To assess the severity of this health problem, it is necessary to clearly outline the outcomes. Since anorexia nervosa is now a leading cause of death among adolescents, it is imperative to intervene and provide a health education program geared to the needs of this young population. Victim...... at the center of the document......rticleid=171119Sundgot-Borgen, J., & Torstveit, MK (2004). The prevalence of eating disorders in elite athletes is higher than in the general population. Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, 14(1), 25-32. Retrieved from http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/39/3/141.fullULifeline. (2014). Eating disorders: why do they happen? . Retrieved from http://www.ulifeline.org/articles/400-eating-disorders-why-do-they-happenWade, T.D., Keski-Rahkonen A., and Hudson J. (2011). Epidemiology of eating disorders. In M. Tsuang & M. Tohen (Eds.), Textbook in Psychiatric Epidemiology (3rd ed.) (pp. 343–360). New York: Wiley. Zucker, N. L., Womble, L. G., Mlliamson, D. A., & Perrin, L. A. (1999). Protective factors for eating disorders in female college athletes. Eating Disorders, 7(3), 207-218. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10640269908249286#preview