Experts say about 1% of young women in the United States are almost starving themselves today. They are suffering from a sickness called anorexia.

These young women have an abnormal fear of getting fat. They【C1】________starve themselves so they weigh at 15% less than their normal weight.

The National Institute of Mental Health says one【C2】_____ten cases of anorexia leads to serious medical problems. These patients can die from heart failure or the disease can lead young women to【C3】_____themselves. For example, former gymnast Christy Henrich died at age

1. She weighed only 61 pounds.

A person with anorexia first develops joint and muscle problems. There is a lack of iron in the blood.【C4】_____the sickness progresses, a young woman’s breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure rates slow down. The important substance calcium is【C5】__from the bones, something causing bones to break. Sometimes the brain gets smaller, causing changes in【C6】__a person thinks and acts. Scientists say many patients have further mental and emotional problems. They have【C7】__opinions about themselves. They feel helpless. Their attempts to become extremely thin may【C8】__efforts to take control of their lives. They may become dependent on illegal drugs. Some people also feel the need to continually repeat a(n)【C9】_____. For example, they may repeatedly wash their hands although their hands are clean.

Anorexia is a serious eating【C10】________. If it is not treated on time, it can be fatal.

【C8】