Major Risk Factors for the Development of Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa is an aggressive eating disorder inflicting people indiscriminately around the globe. It occurs primarily among females with onset generally occurring in early to late adolescence, often resulting in death. Anorexia nervosa is characterised by an individuals refusal to maintain a healthy weight, intense fear of weight gain and a distorted body image. The major risk factors contributing to the development of anorexia are Genetics, Psychological Traits, Cultural and Media Ideals and an unhealthy family environment. Fifty six percent of people who suffer from anorexia have a genetic predisposition to the disease (Candy, 2003). People who have an immediate family member with Anorexia are 12 times more likely to develop†¦show more content†¦This is due to men and women in westernised countries being exposed to unrealistic cultural demands. Western society places great importance on success in all areas of life, including slimness. People equate this success to their self worth, thinking that if they were thin, they would be happier, or a better person. This is shown in the media s representation of cultural ideals. Exposure to western media ideals is a major risk factor for developing anorexia nervosa, or any eating disorder. The media is constantly bombarding us with images of happy, successful people. These people are usually portrayed by young, attractive, thin (often underweight) models and actors. While less successful people are played by actors who are unattractive, and often ove rweight. In a study by Health magazine (April 2002), 32 percent of female TV actors were underweight, compared to the 3 percent who are overweight. In another study conducted in 2002 of twins born between 1935 and 1958, the prevalence of anorexia nervosa was greater among those born after 1945. This is due to more exposure to media and changing cultural ideals. In the 1950 s, Marilyn Monroe, a size 14 was the ideal body shape. Twenty years ago, the average model weighed 8 percent less than the average women. In 2003, models weighed 23 percent less than the general population. Research conducted in 1999 on the island of Fiji clearly shows howShow MoreRelatedDiagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders1631 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (2013) or DSM-5 outlines the four feeding and eating disorders as, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge-Eating Disorder, and Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED). These are complex and highly devastating disorders that cause health, emotional, and relationship problems (NEDA, 2016). These conditions should not be taken lightly due to their potential to cause long term emotional and physicalRead MoreTaking a Look at Eating Disorders1708 Words   |  7 Pagesmental as well as physical health. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the most common types. Others are binge eating disorder and eating disorder not otherwise specified. Classification: †¢ Anorexia nervosa (AN), †¢ Bulimia nervosa (BN), †¢ Eating disorders not otherwise specified †¢ Binge eating disorder (BED) or compulsive overeating, †¢ Pica The two most common types, Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia nervosa are described below: Anorexia Nervosa: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric disorderRead MoreBackground History of Anorexia Nervosa1452 Words   |  6 PagesHISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF ANOREXIA NERVOSA Anorexia nervosa’s (AN) first descriptions began during the twelfth and thirteenth century with the historical Saint Catherine of Siena (Deans, 2011). It is related to participating in religious functions and medieval practices of self-starvation (Deans, 2011). Furthermore, the death of popular singer, Karen Carpenter in 1983 created the societal awareness about the effect of anorexia nervosa and become widely known at the end of the twentieth century (RaderRead MoreThe Influence Of Media Reporting On Society s Perception Of Beauty1730 Words   |  7 Pagessociocultural factors contribute to the development of eating disorders as well as how society s perception of beauty has been distorted. This paper will further support the notion that societies perception of a female’s beauty is determined by their perceived body image, which in turn has a direct effect on teenage girls and plays a primary role in the development of eating disorders such as anorexia. There are two main types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. The term ‘anorexiaRead MoreEating Disorders And Anorexia Nervosa1152 Words   |  5 Pagesdisorders, Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa, has risen notably amongst women in the Western World. Eating disorders (EDs) are mental disorders â€Å"characterized by a persistent disturbance of eating or eating-related behavior that results in the altered consumption or absorption of food and that significantly impairs physical health or psychosocial functioning† (American Psychiatric Association (APA), 2013). The most well-known types of eating disorders are Anorexia and Bulimia. Anorexia is characterizedRead MoreEating Disorders And Body Image1613 Words   |  7 Pagesdisorder. Eating disorders are not just about food.The eating disorders contain anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, and their variants, all feature serious disturbances in eating behavior and weight reg ulation. They are often a way to cope with difficult problems or regain a sense of control. They are complicated illnesses that affect a person’s sense of identity, worth, and self-esteem. The risks of eating disorders for teenagers are in physical health, mental health, substanceRead MoreEssay Eating Disorders in Adolescents1302 Words   |  6 Pagesin Adolescents The eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are complex psychosomatic illnesses. Underlying biological diatheses related to the regulation of mood, hunger, satiety, weight control, and metabolism, combined with psychological and sociocultural vulnerabilities, place an individual at risk for developing an eating disorder (Kaplan and Garfinkel, 1993). The American Anorexia Nervosa Association defines anorexia as a ‘serious illness of deliberate self-starvationRead MoreThe Anorexia Relapse Prevention Guidelines1129 Words   |  5 PagesThe Anorexia Relapse Prevention Guidelines in Practice: A Case Report Introduction Anorexia Nervosa is a fairly common and very consequence psychiatric disorder that affects a person’s desire to consume nutrients because they believe that they are overweight. Women are more likely then men to develop this specific disorder and teenagers aged 15 to 19 are at the highest risk of anyone (Berends, Van Meijel, Van Elburg, 2012). Individual’s affected by Anorexia Nervosa Disorder will refuse to maintainRead MoreTaking a Look at Anorexia Nervosa1613 Words   |  7 Pagesthat I have learnt a lot about eating disorders and anorexia nervosa in particular. I researched the DSM V diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa. The criteria that must be met include an intense fear of gaining weight (even if the patient is severely underweight), restriction of calorie intake relative to requirements leading to a significantly low weight and an altered perception of one’s own body weight/shape. Sufferers of anorexia nervosa can be subdivided into two types: rest ricting (who cutRead MoreRelationship Between Biological Natures And Nurture1910 Words   |  8 Pageshuman development is one of the oldest arguments in the field of anthropology (Sincero, 2012). Villines (2014) argues in his article that this debate should be retired altogether, since it is impossible to neatly separate the nature from nurture. This essay aims to critically evaluate the relationship between biological natures and nurture which specifically focusing on culture with respect to a controversial topic of eating disorder; anorexia nervosa. People suffering from anorexia nervosa often