 •An eating disorder marked by the pursuit of extreme thinness, purposeful maintenance of a significantly low body weight, intense fear of becoming overweight, distorted view of of body weight, and the placement of inappropriate emphasis on body weight or shape in the evaluation of one self.

Anorexia Nervosa

While anorexia and bulimia nervosa can affect individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, the population most at risk tends to be White females residing in Western societies. Research also highlights that females aged 15 to 19 are particularly vulnerable.

Demographic Risk Factors for Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa

Sociocultural factors, such as the promotion of thinness as an ideal of beauty in media and fashion, are significant contributors to the development of eating disorders. While these pressures particularly affect many young females, eating disorders are prevalent across various ages and genders.

Sociocultural Influences on Eating Disorders

In addition to social and cultural influences, evidence indicates that genetic factors may contribute to the development of eating disorders. This suggests that some individuals might have a biological predisposition that increases their vulnerability to conditions like anorexia and bulimia nervosa.

Genetic Predisposition to Eating Disorders

More severe symptoms of anxiety and depression are correlated with more debilitating eating disorder symptoms in young women.

Comorbidity with Anxiety and Depression

1. Sander, J., Moessner, M., & Bauer, S. (2021). Depression, Anxiety and Eating Disorder-Related Impairment: Moderators in Female Adolescents and Young Adults. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(5), 2779. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052779

References for Eating Disorders

• Characterized by severe and persistent disturbance in eating behaviors and associated distressing thoughts and emotions and physical symptoms
• Include Binge Eating Disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and more

Grinnell College

University of California, Berkeley

What Are Eating Disorders?, https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/eating-disorders/what-are-eating-disorders. 

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