Causes of Anorexia Nervosa in Adolescence

A Swedish study interviewed patients who had been treated for anorexia during childhood and adolescence. The question was posed: "What do you think today about the reasons why you got anorexia nervosa?" Interviews were done at 8 and 16 years after initial assessment. The most common answers were attributed to self, family, and social stressors.

Regarding factors related to the individual, people mentioned high achievement traits, developmental crisis, body dissatisfaction, and low self-esteem. Family reasons included difficulties in communication, including too little care or overprotection, as well as stressful family events and high demands for achievement or appearances. Social stressors included sports, moving to a new place, and school problems.

At the 8-year interviews, most people cited high demands and perfectionism as the top reason, while at the 16-year point, more people mentioned family events. Clearly, the factors responsible for an eating disorder are varied and a person's current circumstances can change the way they view a past eating disorder. (Source: Eating Disorders the Journal of Treatment and Prevention)