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The cause of anorexia nervosa is believed to be multifactorial with psychological, environmental and biological factors that all play a role.
However, some people can have several risk factors without being affected, and other individuals that are not considered at high risk may develop symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Therefore, the specific causes of the condition are still unclear.
There are certain personality and behavioral traits that are associated with anorexia nervosa and thought to be involved in the development of the condition. These factors include:
There are several influences from the surrounding environment that can have an impact on the likelihood of an individual to be affected by anorexia nervosa.
The culture and societal norms in modern society places a high importance on physical beauty and, in Western culture, a thin frame is usually considered to be more beautiful. This concept is reinforced by media messages in magazines and online sources that focus on the physical beauty and minor flaws of celebrities.
Likely as a result of these idealizations places on the female gender, young women are more likely to be affected by the disorder than men. Interestingly, men who identify as homosexual or transgender are at an increased risk of anorexia than heterosexual men.
Pressure to conform to an idealized body image can also have an impact on the health of an individual and increase their risk of being affected by anorexia nervosa. For example, people who work or participate in activities such as dancing or athletic sports face more pressure to keep their body shape in line with the accepted standards.
Other environmental factors may include:
In many cases, anorexia originates from a strict diet that becomes excessive and unhealthy, leading to pathological mindset and outcomes.
There appears to be a familial link to anorexia and individuals with a family history of eating disorders, depression or substance misuse are more likely to be affected. An individual with a close relative with anorexia is ten times more likely to suffer from anorexia nervosa than someone with no family history.
This may arise from a genetic link that is inherited from the parents, although it could also be an acquired trait from environmental circumstances, such as developing negative thoughts about body image similar to other members of the family.
The brain and hormonal level changes during puberty are also thought to be associated with anorexia nervosa, and the incidence of the condition is highest during this time. In particular, feelings of stress, anxiety and low self-esteem are thought to trigger anorexia.
Abnormal biochemical makeup of the brain may also be involved. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) regulates the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, which affect the mood and appetite of the individual. Individuals with anorexia nervosa often have decreased levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, suggesting that they may be involved in the pathology of the condition.