mental health disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
Causes of Anorexia Nervosa
What causes anorexia nervosa is unknown. Few risk factors for it, other than being female, have been identified. Genetic and environmental (social) factors play a role in the development of anorexia nervosa. The desire to be thin is common in many societies, and obesity may be considered unattractive. Even before adolescence, children are aware of these attitudes, and more than half of preadolescent girls diet or take other measures to control their weight. Yet only a small percentage of these girls develop anorexia nervosa. Other factors, such as psychologic susceptibility, probably predispose certain people to develop anorexia nervosa. Many people who develop the disorder belong to middle or upper socioeconomic classes, are meticulous and compulsive, and have very high standards for achievement and success. 