Anorexia - Risk factors

Risk factors

While anorexia may occur in individuals across the demographic divides, it definitely appears to be far more common among people in certain groups. These groups can be defined by characteristics such as:

Gender: 95% of anorexia nervosa sufferers are females. However, males are at a greater risk of not recovering from the disease due to a reluctance to report symptoms.
Age: Anorexia nervosa is most common in those of age 10 through 25. As a result, it is typically stereotyped as being a disease of teenage females. In actuality, almost any individual can be a sufferer. However, the most common times of onset are at puberty and during times of transition, such as moving from school to university. Though many do not realize it, younger children can also exhibit symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Children as young as five years may begin to diet, perhaps mimicking behaviour they see in their parents. (For example, if a mother is obsessed with her weight, her daughter may begin to weigh herself.) Even children as young as three have been known to develop the disease. These young anorexics have a fear of becoming "fat" and refuse to eat, as in classic anorexia nervosa.
Sexual orientation: In a community where physical appearance seems almost vital, young homosexual males often feel inadequately attractive, resembling the views felt by heterosexual females.
Physical activity: Athletes may be more prone to develop the disease, most often swimmers, gymnasts, skaters, and wrestlers, and people who are active in dancing or modeling. Maintaining excessive physical activity can be a symptom of anorexia nervosa.
Academic activity: Anorexia is often seen among highly intelligent and/or high-achievers, and students who are under heavy workloads.
Ethnic background: People of European racial descent appear to be afflicted more often than people of other ethnicities.
Culture: The disease is believed to be far more common in some societies than others, especially those of Europe, the Americas, Australasia and Japan. Also, those positioned in the higher echelons of the socioeconomic scale, and perfectionists.
History: Those who have suffered traumatic events in their lifetime such as child abuse and sexual abuse may be more vulnerable to developing anorexia nervosa.

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