The cause of anorexia varies from a combination of physiological, psychological and social factors. There is no one particular cause. Biologically speaking, anorexic people could be genetically predisposed to making them more susceptible to eating disorders. Evidence says that there is a link that should be recognized between an eating disorder and a person’s family […]
The cause of anorexia varies from a combination of physiological, psychological and social factors. There is no one particular cause. Biologically speaking, anorexic people could be genetically predisposed to making them more susceptible to eating disorders. Evidence says that there is a link that should be recognized between an eating disorder and a person’s family history. People with anorexia tend to have high levels of the brain hormone chiefly related to stress (cortisol), and decreased levels of serotonin, which is believed to play an important role as a neurotransmitter in the modulation of anger, aggression, body temperature, mood, sleep, sexuality, and appetite; and norepinephrine, which is associated with feelings of well-being. Nutritional factors, such as a zinc deficiency, which leads to a loss of appetite, could also aggravate anorexia causes .
Given that it is mostly a psychiatric disorder, victims who may not have been necessarily overweight become preoccupied with a fear of obesity and intentionally subject themselves to a starvation diet. Psychological factors could be the most significant basis as one of the principle anorexia causes. Low self-worth, and low levels of restraint, or the ability to fight temptation, are often reported in research studies as anorexia causes. People with this predisposition are most likely to be the “goody-goody” in the family who do exactly what they’re told to do and focus on pleasing others. But despite the perfectionist surface, they are helpless inside with feelings of worthlessness. Such personality traits and emotional characteristics are most commonly associated with anorexic people.
Social and environmental factors could be a cause of anorexia as well. Through media, the noticeable endorsement of skinniness among women plays a great role in promoting anorexia. Anorexic people are more prone to thinking being successful has something to do with thinness since it is noted that those with careers have much higher contact with cultural sources that support weight loss.
Anorexia causes can start in little ways such as participation in activities that require fitness and slenderness that put social pressure on a person, such as modelling, ballet, gymnastics and figure skating. The general notion of what is “in” brings pressure especially to adolescents who are in the stage of fanaticism, making them more inclined to be affected by what the media seems to be promoting.
The anorexia causes with regards to environmental factors can also be perceptibly traced to peer pressure, especially among teenagers. Family factors could also contribute to anorexia especially with parents who put too much emphasis on looks and criticize their children’s appearance.
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