Risk Factors & Predictors of Anorexia 

There are also a number of ways you can work on challenges you may struggle with that can lead to the development of anorexia or another eating disorder. And help is available if you need support.

Biological Risk Factors of Anorexia

One of the more recently identified anorexia risk factors is genetics. 

For a long time, it was widely thought that social and cultural factors contributed to anorexia. But more research has found that anorexia has a biological predictor and tends to run in families, or among “clusters” of relatives who share genetic makeup.¹

This is due to the way several types of genes are expressed within families, including those that control the way you respond to stress and those involved in the brain’s reward center.

Serotonin

The dysregulation of serotonin, an important compound involved in many aspects of eating and pleasure, has also been found to play a significant role in the development of anorexia.² This type of dysfunction has been linked not only to the eating behaviors behind anorexia but also to the disturbance in body image perception.

Hormones

Hormones, in general, play a big part in the onset of anorexia nervosa. Many people with the disorder first start exhibiting signs around the time of puberty, due to major hormonal changes going on at that point.³

Psychological Predictors or Risk Factors of Anorexia

While the line between neurobiology and psychology isn’t always clear, there are a number of anorexia risk factors that are more closely tied to mental health than physiology.

One of the most common psychological anorexia risk factors for anorexia is body image disturbance, or body image distortion. 

This is when a person has a perception of their body that does not align with reality. Someone struggling with anorexia may perceive themselves to be “overweight,” when they, in fact, have a very low body weight. They don’t want to gain weight, and they also may be interested in extreme weight loss measures.

People who struggle with anorexia nervosa also have a high co-occurrence of other mental health conditions, such as mood disorders. Nearly two-thirds of people with anorexia nervosa in one study were found to simultaneously struggle with an anxiety disorder.⁴ And of those anxiety issues, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was found to be the most common in people with AN.

Social Predictors or Risk Factors of Anorexia

In the past, it was believed that a person’s social upbringing was the primary cause of anorexia. The general thinking was that growing up in a culture that idolized thinner bodies would drive a person to focus on weight and dieting, until it became an obsession, leading to disordered eating habits. 

While this is certainly true, we know eating disorders are complex, multifaceted mental illnesses with many risk factors. But social influences also play a role in whether someone is more prone to develop eating disorders.

Experiencing trauma or traumatic events earlier in life has proven to be a big anorexia risk factor.⁵  This is especially true for people whose genes predispose them to certain reactions to stress.

And, while studying family dynamics can be especially tricky, the way qualities like self-esteem and perfectionism are modeled in the home have also been tied in some research to the development of anorexia.⁶

Additionally, our culture harbors strong misconceptions about what constitutes health and which habits and bodies are considered the healthiest. Because thinness is so valued in our society, dieting and losing weight are viewed as “healthy” ways to achieve the thin ideal. However, in clinical terms, dieting and losing weight are considered to be disordered eating and unhealthy weight control behaviors.⁷ And dieting can quickly progress into an eating disorder, and losing too much weight can lead to major complications.

How to Seek Help for Anorexia

People who are struggling with disordered eating behaviors or have eating disorder symptoms often do not realize or refuse to acknowledge they need help. Other people in their lives may need to approach them gently, express concern, and suggest that they seek professional help. That’s why being aware of risk factors, as well as signs and symptoms, is important. 

Asking for help is not easy. But anorexia and other eating disorders, such as binge eating disorder, do not go away on their own. And they can lead to very serious, even fatal, medical complications if left untreated. 

Consulting with your primary care provider or finding a therapist with whom you can discuss your concerns is a great first step. But if the issue becomes more serious, it’s important to seek out further help as quickly as possible. 

If you know someone who may be prone to developing an eating disorder, whether it be anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or other mental disorders that are related, help is available. A licensed therapist can help diagnose someone’s mental health issues and may also be able to give you advice on how to be there for your loved one and offer support.