The hallucinatory fat is weighing me down!

Article summary of "Anorexic individuals' disturbed body image influences unconscious movements" by Public Library of Science

The Public Library of Science has conducted a new experiment, proving that eating disorders not only affect how one views themselves, but also how one moves in daily life. In this lab, both healthy and anorexic participants were taken through narrow doorways while scientists monitored when they turned sideways to cram through. The anorexic participants rotated their shoulders at a 40% wider passageway, while healthy contributors did so when the entryway was only 25% wider than their shoulders. "Based on these observations, the authors conclude that anorexic patients' disturbed representations of their body size are more persuasive than previously thought, affecting both conscious and unconscious actions" (Public Library of Science, 2013).

It has always been known that eating disorders are not physical disorders, but rather mental disorders with physical side effects. However, this experiment has taken the proof to an entirely new dimension. Many believe that anorexia nervosa is simply thinking oneself is overweight, but what they don't realize is that it's so much more. It's almost an illusion that can't be ignored but for countless, vigorous therapy sessions. Now that these theories have been validated, it's important that society recognizes this aspect of the disorder and realizes it's not something one can "just get over."

Public Library of Science. (2013, May 29). Anorexic individuals' disturbed body image influences unconscious movements. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 8, 2014 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130529190936.htm