This increasingly common disease affects girls from the age of fourteen to twenty one. The main feature is a mistake in body image. The sufferer sees herself as fat or obese and then starts dieting severely, often to a point of starvation when a breakdown of muscles occurs. It can be cured only by careful therapy by identifying the psychological reasons for its cause.

The nutritional treatment aims at a sound diet which provides up to 50% more energy than an average diet. However it is important to convince the patient to eat.

One–day diet for Anorexia Nervosa
Breakfast

• 1 glass milk with sugar.
• 2slices of toast with one teaspoon butter.
• 1 boiled egg.

Elevenses
1 glass orange juice or lemon juice.

Lunch

• phulkas (with little ghee).
• 1 cup dal.
• 1/2 cup rice.
• 1 cup curds or 1 glass lassi.
• 1 cup tea or coffee.

Tea

• 1 cup tea or coffee.
• 1 banana.

Dinner

• 1 cup rice.
• 1 cup grained pulses.
• salad.

Bed time
1 glass warm milk.

Note
This diet has to be continued till the desired weight is achieved. Patients suffering from Anorexia Nervosa have lost total interest in eating, therefore foods have to be cooked as per their tastes.