DR. WALLACE: My cousin is a really beautiful and very intelligent young lady with a super sense of humor. She has everything going for her, but she has become a victim of anorexia nervosa (self-starvation). It is extremely puzzling to me and I cannot understand why any young person would resort to such a drastic eating habit. She is now undergoing treatment in a psychiatric hospital and I'm not sure she will be starting school with us in the fall.

Can you tell me why she would become anorexic? — Nameless, Portland, Ore.

NAMELESS: About one of every 200 North American teens, from every religion, race and ethnic group, suffers from anorexia nervosa. Ninety percent of them are female. There are two main factors that drive teens to become anorexic:

The first is the overpowering desire to emulate slender young stars. Athletes, dancers and cheerleaders are often coached to increase performance skills, make weight categories and score higher on visual appearance in competition.

Parental pressure is the second big factor. Sometimes parents who are overprotective and controlling, and have closed communication and unrealistically high expectations, unwittingly drive their daughter to "succeed" in being slim, which can be fatal.

I AM NOW A BELIEVER

DR. WALLACE: You told a 16-year-old boy to see a family doctor before he started investigating the idea of becoming a vegetarian. I disagree, and I think you should have told him to seek advice from a nutrition specialist since not all family doctors are well versed in nutrition. — Carla, Reno, Nev.

CARLA: From my mail responses, I noticed that most people interested in becoming vegetarians do not consider the family doctor well versed in nutrition and would prefer the advice of a nutritionist.

This makes me a believer! From now on I'm going to suggest that teens interested in vegetarianism contact a nutritionist first to get information on the eating pattern, and then see their family doctor. In my opinion, I still think that it's a good idea to have a checkup from your physician before starting any restrictive diet.

MOST PET OWNERS LIVE BETTER LIVES

DR. WALLACE: The first thing I do when I come home from school is find my dog. When I do, she comes running to me wagging her tail. I always greet her and tell her she is a "good dog" and that I love her very much.

My grandpa lives with us and he always says I'm wasting my breath because Mitzi doesn't understand what I'm saying. I think he is wrong and I still think she understands me. Who is right? — Lynn, St. Louis, Mo.

LYNN: Mitzi doesn't understand English, but she does understand YOU. Those who work with animals agree that dogs do understand human sounds — not the actual words, but how the words are spoken. Loud, harsh words cause the dog to cower, but soft words encourage her to come closer and wag her tail.

According to the American Kennel Club, 99 percent of all pet owners admit they talk to their animals and 88 percent view their pet as a member of their family. And would you believe that 20 percent of all pet owners leave a television, radio or stereo playing for their pets when they leave them home alone?

Scientific studies have also shown that the vast majority of pet owners are happier and healthier and they live longer than those who do not have an animal friend.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.