Anorexia Nervosa: Prevention

To prevent anorexia nervosa (anorexia), attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors.

Behavioral risk factors

• Diet
  • Recurrent dieting behavior
  • Restrained eating behavior
• Psycho-social situation
  • Fear of obesity
  • Fear of being overworked
  • Emotional neglect
  • Family factors such as overprotection and conflict avoidance.
  • Lack of self-esteem
  • Physical abuse in the past
  • Psychiatric disorders such as depression in the family environment.
  • Sexual abuse
  • Dissatisfaction with one’s appearance (self-esteem issues).
  • Compulsive, perfectionist character

Other risk factors

• Certain professional groups such as ballet dancers, models, athletes (sports anorexia; especially in aesthetic-compositional sports such as rhythmic gymnastics or synchronized swimming – but also ski jumpers and some endurance athletes).
• Slimness mania of society