What are the causes of anorexia?

There is not one known root cause of the condition. Instead, researchers believe that causes are genetic, cultural, and psychological in nature.
Researchers have found that the condition occurs within families, and so they believe it to have a genetic link. At the same time, some believe that sociocultural factors influence people, especially young women, to starve themselves.

Unrealistic images of people in the media lead impressionable viewers to try to achieve unrealistic physiques. While it is not a root cause, it is seen as a major influence in encouraging behaviors. Then, finally, there is the connection that researchers have made between the incidence of anorexia and other mental disorders.

In many instances, anorexics also suffered from mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, stress, perfectionism (sense of control), and obsession and compulsion. Ultimately, a person’s mental state is just another possible reason why a person would develop the condition. In essence, a person can develop anorexia as a result of one or a combination of the three factors.