单项选择题

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 51 starve themselves so they weigh at least 15% less than their normal weight. The National Institute of Mental Health says one 52 ten cases of anorexia leads to serious medical problems. These patients can die from heart failure or the disease can lead young women to 53 themselves. For example, former gymnast Christy Henrich died at age 22. She weighed only 6l pounds. A person with anorexia first develop joint and muscle problems. There is a lack of iron in the blood. 54 the sickness progresses, a young woman’s breathing, heartbeat,, and. blood pressure rates slow down. The important substance calcium is 55 from the bones, sometimes causing bones to break. Sometimes the brain gets smaller, causing changes in 56 a person thinks and acts. Scientists say many patients have further mental and emotional problems. They have 57 opinions about themselves. They feel helpless. Their attempts to become extremely thin may 58 efforts to take control of their lives. They may suffer from fearfulness or continued deep sadness. Called depression. They may become dependent on illegal drugs. Some people also feel the need to continually repeat a(n) 59 . For example, they may repeatedly wash their hands although their hands are clean. Anorexia is a serious eating 60 . lf it is not treated on time, it can be fatal.