Anorexia nervosa is a severe eating disorder characterized by persistent restriction of food intake, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image.

It profoundly affects physical health and psychological well-being.

1. Genetic and Familial Influences

Research consistently shows a strong genetic component in anorexia. Individuals with a first-degree relative affected by an eating disorder face a considerably higher risk. This familial link suggests inherited traits that influence susceptibility, including neurobiological factors affecting appetite regulation, reward systems, and stress response. Moreover, a family history of mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression may also increase vulnerability.

2. Psychological Traits and Mental Health Conditions

Certain psychological characteristics predispose individuals to anorexia. One of the most prominent is perfectionism—a propensity to set excessively high personal standards and harsh self-evaluation. Cognitive rigidity, where flexible thinking is impaired, may also contribute by limiting adaptive coping mechanisms.

Emotional dysregulation and difficulties in managing negative emotions frequently coexist, leading to disordered eating as a maladaptive response. Furthermore, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive traits, and depressive symptoms often precede or accompany anorexic behaviors.

3. Sociocultural Pressure and Body Image Concerns

Cultural ideals valorizing thinness exert strong influence, especially through media and social platforms. Internalization of these narrow beauty standards fosters body dissatisfaction, which is a critical risk factor for anorexia. Exposure to environments emphasizing appearance, such as modeling, dance, or athletics, intensifies pressure. Experiences of weight-related teasing or bullying exacerbate negative self-perception, reinforcing unhealthy dietary restrictions.

4. Life Transitions and Stressful Events

Periods of significant change or emotional upheaval frequently trigger anorexia onset. Transitions like puberty, shifting schools, relationship disruptions, or bereavement may provoke feelings of loss of control. The restrictive eating pattern can emerge as an attempt to regain control over one’s body when external circumstances feel overwhelming. Chronic stress and trauma can amplify this effect, making the disorder harder to overcome without intervention.

5. Dieting and Weight-Control Behaviors

Engagement in dieting, especially severe or repeated restriction of food intake, often precedes anorexia development. Initial attempts to control weight may progressively escalate into pathological restriction. Dieting alters hunger and satiety signals and can induce physiological changes that perpetuate disordered eating cycles. Furthermore, excessive exercise or purging behaviors may accompany dietary restriction, complicating the clinical picture.

Dr. Cynthia M. Bulik, psychiatry professor and eating disorders expert, explains that genetic vulnerability may lay the foundation, but it takes environmental factors to trigger the disorder.

The causes of anorexia nervosa transcend simple explanations, encompassing inherited susceptibilities, psychological profiles, societal influences, and behavioral patterns. Genetic predisposition intertwines with personality traits such as perfectionism and emotional challenges. Sociocultural emphasis on thinness and adverse experiences like bullying deepen risk, while life stressors and dieting behaviors frequently catalyze illness. Comprehensive knowledge of these factors is vital to advancing prevention and personalized care strategies, improving chances for recovery and lasting health.