At the age of 17 she was 141 lbs. and 5'4''. She went to a physician and got put on the Stillman water diet (8 glasses of water a day, no fatty foods, and plenty of vitamins). She did not like diets, but she stuck with it and lost 25 lbs. in six months. She stayed at this weight until 1973. (www.leadsister.com)

She started to show a disinterest in food in 1974. She was purchasing sugar-free jelly and stocking the cabinets with low-calorie and low-fat foods. When going to the recording studios she would get many compliments on how good she looked and compliments on her weight loss. At the time she was 115lbs. but now had a goal to weigh 105lbs. (www.leadsister.com)

Her weight was dropping more and more by 1975. She was too tired and worn out to perform on tour in Japan and Europe weighing only 80lbs. (Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives) Her best friend Debbie Vaiuso came to visit her and she was quoted saying "her skin was literally hanging

One year after said she was cured and she moved back to California. In January or 1983 she said she would sometimes see spots in front of her eyes and would complaining about her "thumping heart". Three months later, while staying the night at her parent's house, she was found passed out on the bedroom floor by her mom after she heard a noise upstairs. It was February 4,1983. She was taken to the hospital, but she could not be revived. She died because of heart failure related to Anorexia Nervosa. (Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives)

Karen Carpenter was a popular vocalist and drummer in the 70's. She was best known for her work with her brother Richard in their soft rock duo group the Carpenters.

While getting fitted for clothing for a concert in 1976 she was concerned about the size of her hips. Her brother Richard was quoted saying "Can we do something to hide those hips". Richard explained he was taken the wrong way. He was mentioning her hips because her pelvic bones were showing not because they were big. (www.leadsister.com)

Karen was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Cypress California on February 8, 1983. She will always be remembered and loved by millions of fans that were and still are moved and inspired by her. (Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives)

After dinner they went home and not long after Tom told her parents "you can keep her".

off her bones". Her brother Richard was in Tokyo and London rescheduling their tours while

Some common words found in the essay are:
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