Anorexia nerviosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder marked by an intense fear of gaining weight and a persistent pursuit of thinness through starvation.

Individuals maintain extremely low body weight for their age and height. They have distorted body image and perceive themselves as overweight despite being extremely thin.

It affects girls and young women more often than boys and men.

This disorder causes physical changes, including fine hair growth across the body, thinning of bones and hair, severe constipation, low blood pressure, and life-threatening complications, such as heart and thyroid damage.

Genetically, identical twins are more likely to share the disorder than fraternal twins. Research links a specific gene that reduces serotonin availability to a 30% increase in the risk of anorexia.

Sociocultural factors, such as media glorification of thinness and societal beauty standards, along with competitive, high-achieving, and protective family dynamics, increase vulnerability to anorexia.

Psychological traits like low self-esteem, perfectionism, and fear of judgment increase vulnerability to anorexia.

It is also linked to obsessive weight thoughts and compulsive exercise.