Anorexia Nervosa Causes & Risks

Causes

The cause of anorexia is not known. It appears that genetics and environment play a role.

Risk Factors

A risk factor increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for anorexia include the following:

• Sex: female
• Age: adolescence or early adulthood
• Low self-esteem
• Feelings of helplessness
• Perfectionism
• Fear of becoming overweight
• Familial pressure to be thin
• Families that are overprotective, rigid, not involved, or in conflict
• Family history of eating disorders
• Emotional stress
• Mood disorders, such as depression or generalized anxiety disorder
• Personality disorders
• Susceptibility to social and fashion trends emphasizing or glamorizing thinness