Although anorexia is often thought of as a "teenage disease," it can start much earlier, or much later. According to ANRED, Inc., eating disorders usually appear in bright, attractive young women between the ages of twelve and twenty-five, although there are both older and younger exceptions. At least ten percent (10%) of the people with eating disorders are male, possibly more.
The experts at ANRED believe that the primary causes of anorexia are emotional and sociocultural. We recommend you visit their site to see what they say.
However, according to the Mayo clinic, biological factors may also be at work in causing this disorder.
- Psychological
Characteristics that contribute to anorexia include low self-worth, obsessive-compulsive personality traits, and an extreme drive for perfectionism. - Biological
Research on families and twins has suggested a possible genetic link. Genetics could also contribute by creating a tendency toward perfectionism, sensitivity and perseverance, all traits associated with anorexia. However, these traits could also be learned through family interaction. There are some hints that serotonin — one of the brain chemicals involved in depression — may play a role in anorexia. - Sociocultural
Modern culture, especially in the West, cultivates and reinforces a desire for thinness. The media are splashed with images of waif-like models and actors. Success and worth are often equated with being thin. Peer pressure may fuel the desire to be thin, particularly among young girls. However, anorexia and other eating disorders existed centuries ago, suggesting that sociocultural values aren't solely responsible.
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