Risk Factors for Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder which causes affected individuals to become obsessed with their weight. Typically, an individual with anorexia begins dieting, but continues to do so even after a healthy weight has been achieved. It is estimated that 1 out of every 100 adolescent girls has this disorder. It is also estimated that .5 to 3.75% of women in general will become anorexic at some point in their lives. There are many risk factors that may or may not contribute to anorexia, including changes in weight, puberty, major life changes, pressures from society, or even one's place of employment.

Symptoms

• People with anorexia nervosa refuse to maintain their body weight at at least a minimally normal weight. This minimal weight is considered to be 85% of one's normal body weight. Anorexia causes a fear of weight gain, even if the affected individual is underweight. The disorder also causes an extremely distorted self-image, causing a belief that one is overweight when this is really not the case. Weight loss is not acknowledged. In women who are menstruating, periods will stop for at least three cycles. Usually only women are affected with anorexia, although men can develop the disorder as well. There are two subtypes of anorexia nervosa: the binge-eating/purging type, and the restrictive type. The first type engages in binge-eating, and later purges his or her food by throwing up or using laxatives. The second type simply does not eat much in the first place.

Changes in Weight

• Changes in weight are risk factors in anorexia nervosa. It is not uncommon for someone to diet, lose weight, and receive positive comments on his or her appearance. This reinforces the dieting behavior, and can lead to excessive dieting. Similarly, those who lose weight without meaning to because of an illness or injury may receive positive comments on their weight loss, and this can also lead to excessive dieting. Weight gain can be a risk factor because individuals who gain too much weight receive negative criticism from those around them, and are therefore driven to be thin.

Puberty

• Puberty is another common risk factor in anorexia. It is not uncommon for adolescents to be distressed by the changes occuring in their bodies. Increased peer pressure at this time can cause such adolescents to be more vulnerable emotionally to negative comments they receive regarding changes in their appearance. Developing anorexia is more likely in this situation.

Change

• Major life changes such as getting a new job, going to a new school, or the death of a loved one can be very distressing to anyone. Unfortunately, this is also a risk factor for anorexia. Some people are so distressed by the changes in their lives that they are desperate for some form of control, and in the case of anorexia, excessive dieting and exercise may give them the sense of control they desire.

Work

• Certain professions can actually predispose people to anorexia. Dancers, actors, athletes, and models are typically under an enormous amount of pressure to be thin. Because of this, people working in these professions often equate thinness with success. Unfortunately, this pressure to be thin or else can lead to anorexia.

Society

• It is not known for sure whether society and the media are actually risk factors. For someone at risk for anorexia, however, it cannot help that everyone in western society is constantly bombarded by images of thin people being portrayed as attractive, popular, and successful. Many people in society tend to be infected with this concept to the point where people are ridiculed and even shunned for being overweight. So while it is not known if this is a risk factor for the development of anorexia, it would not be surprising to discover one day that this contributes to the disorder.

Genetics and Neurology

• It is thought that there may be a genetic component to anorexia, but this is not known for certain. Researchers are currently attempting to locate a gene that may contribute to the eating disorder. Another theory is that a disruption in neurotransmitter levels may be involved in anorexia. A third theory suggests that a certain part of the brain called the hypothalamus may be dysfunctional in individuals with anorexia. It is not known as of yet if these theories are correct, but researchers are looking into them.