How can anorexia cause stravation?

Anorexia nervosa can lead to starvation because of the following reasons:

1. Restrictive Eating: Individuals with anorexia severely restrict their food intake, often consuming very few calories each day. This inadequate calorie intake deprives the body of the essential nutrients it needs to function properly, leading to malnutrition and starvation.

2. Malabsorption and Impaired Digestion: Anorexia can cause changes in the gastrointestinal tract, such as slowed digestion and malabsorption of nutrients. This means that even when a person with anorexia does eat, their body may not be able to properly absorb and use the nutrients from the food, further contributing to malnutrition and starvation.

3. Excessive Exercise: Some individuals with anorexia engage in excessive and compulsive exercise to burn off any calories consumed. This excessive physical activity further increases the body's energy expenditure, leading to a negative energy balance and starvation.

4. Disrupted Hormones and Metabolism: Anorexia can disrupt the body's normal hormone balance, including hormones involved in appetite regulation, metabolism, and energy expenditure. These hormonal changes can lead to decreased appetite, increased energy expenditure, and impaired nutrient metabolism, all of which contribute to starvation.

5. Psychological Factors: The psychological symptoms associated with anorexia, such as body image disturbance, fear of weight gain, and a relentless pursuit of thinness, can override normal hunger and fullness cues. This can lead to ongoing restrictive eating patterns and starvation.