Sociological Factors
As a young person there are so many changes happening within your body, on top of the pressures of being a young adult. Young girls especially are overly conscious of their body, how it looks, what they do not like and what they would change, all while their bodies are being hijacked by puberty. Within someone who has Anorexia Nervosa they believe they use food to cope with their emotions, and this helps them feel in control. It should be recognized that people who have a Anorexia Nervosa diagnosis see other peoples body shapes and sizes as normal and adequate, it is only themselves they see an issue in. Anorexia can also cause individuals to have a fear of gaining weight or becoming overweight. Anorexia Nervosa is known to be persistent and often difficult to treat eating disorder with severe physical and mental health consequences. Though this disorder is mostly seen in females there is a rising number of men who suffer with Anorexia Nervosa, 1 in 4 eating disorder sufferers are male. Most of the research conducted on Anorexia Nervosa or any eating disorder in general is mainly focused on women. This alongside the long running idea that men should not speak up, they should be strong and push through, puts men at a greater disadvantage for diagnosis and treatment of Anorexia Nervosa.