With emaciated models and rapidly shrinking celebrities all over the news, the conversation about eating disorders is happening seemingly everywhere. But what are eating disorders? And how does a person get them?

Eating disorders are extreme forms of abnormal eating. They are mental disorders that affect about eight million Americans. Statistics show that approximately 90% of people suffering from an eating disorder are female, and the majority is between 15 and 25 years old.

In the most extreme cases, people starve or overeat themselves to death. Sufferers of eating disorders can be any weight, but their weight fluctuates radically. They may even appear "average"--but that doesn't mean they suffer less or are in any less danger.

It's normal to care about what you eat, but obsessing about food and weight can be unhealthy. Whether you have an eating disorder, know someone with an eating disorder or are just concerned about a friend who thinks she's too fat, it's important to get the facts about eating disorders.