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Causes and Triggers: Anorexia

Anorexia Causes and Triggers

Anorexia nervosa is a malignant brain disorder with a high mortality rate. And recent clinical studies utilizing identical twins have estimated that anorexia has a heritability rate between 56% and 70%. By comparison, the heritability of height is 90%. In other words, a person’s genetic inheritance is largely responsible for a biological vulnerability to anorexia (height being almost exclusively based on person’s genetics). Therefore, like all genetically-based illnesses, genetic factors associated with anorexia must be present for the illness to manifest itself. Or put another way, if a person did not have a genetic vulnerability, they would be incapable of developing true anorexia nervosa, regardless of exposure to environmental factors.

But like many genetically-based illnesses, anorexia’s non-genetic (i.e. environmental) triggers are not well understood. Why, for example, do some siblings develop anorexia but others do not? Episodes of extreme dieting, excessive/obsessive exercise or laxative abuse leading to rapid weight loss have been identified as possible triggers. Developmental changes (e.g. puberty) that result in alterations to neurochemical or sudden hormonal imbalances in the brain may also play a role. Less certain is the role of media and popular culture in the development of anorexia. While this is widely reported as a suspected trigger, no scientific evidence to date exists to support such claims.

Equally, there is no evidence to suggest that sexual trauma or explanations relying on “underlying psychological factors” have any scientific merit. The stubborn fact remains we don’t really understand what triggers anorexia in children. We may never know. But the crucial point for parents is that they don’t need to understand the “cause” in order to seek effective eating disorder treatment today. If your child has experienced unexplained weight loss, even if previously “chubby” or “heavy”, this is a cause for concern and immediate investigation. Please note: unexplained weight loss in children is not normal. The longer a life-threatening eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa goes undiagnosed and untreated, the worse the long term prognosis for recovery. Please see our anorexia treatment page for more information on steps to take if you are concerned. And take a look at our video about how to talk to your pediatricians about your concerns.

One thing is certain: parents don’t cause anorexia and children don’t choose to have it.

If you are seeking eating disorder help or would like more information about any of our eating disorder programs, call us at 971-319-6800 and speak to our intake coordinator. For your convenience, you may also submit an online request below. We answer all requests promptly.

Recent Blog Posts

Dr. O’Toole to retire at the end of 2020.

December 16, 2020 By Morgan O'Toole-Smith

Kartini School: A Success Story

January 19, 2021 By Morgan O'Toole-Smith

Tips for Motivating Kids in School

January 19, 2021 By Morgan O'Toole-Smith

Breaking Science News: The Latest Genetic Study of Anorexia Nervosa

July 18, 2019 By Julie O'Toole

Guest BLOG: F.E.A.S.T. on Euthanasia and anorexia nervosa

July 10, 2019 By Julie O'Toole

The Importance of School in Holistic Recovery from an Eating Disorder

June 20, 2019 By Julie O'Toole

  • Eating Disorder Treatment
    • Anorexia Nervosa
      • Signs & Symptoms: Anorexia
      • Causes and Triggers: Anorexia
      • Treatment: Anorexia
    • Bulimia Nervosa
      • Signs & Symptoms: Bulimia
      • Causes and Triggers: Bulimia
      • Treatment: Bulimia
    • Food Phobia
      • Signs & Symptoms: Food Phobia
      • Causes and Triggers: Food Phobia
      • Treatment: Food Phobia
    • ARFID
    • Treatment Overview
      • Inpatient
      • Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
      • Intensive Outpatient (IOP)
      • Outpatient
      • Cost of Treatment
  • Eating Disorder Resources
    • For Referring Providers
      • Hospitalization Criteria
      • Direct Referrals
    • For Parents & Guardians
      • Top Tips for Parents
      • Understanding Your Insurance
      • Talking to Your Employer
      • Insurance FAQ
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      • School During Treatment
      • Give Food a Chance
    • Kartini School
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From Our Blog

Dr. O’Toole to retire at the end of 2020.

December 16, 2020

It is with decidedly mixed emotions that we announce our founder and chief medical officer, Julie O'Toole MD, MPH, will retire at the end of this year. First I'd like to mention that (for once!) this has nothing to do with the pandemic. Dr. O'Toole's retirement has been planned for some time; … Read Post...

Kartini School: A Success Story

January 19, 2021

[Ed. note: This is one in a series of guest blogs by our Kartini School administrator, Mary Gunesch. With schools returning to at least partial in-person instruction we thought it a good time to focus on this subject.]  When a student begins treatment at Kartini Clinic, we reach out to their … Read Post...

Tips for Motivating Kids in School

January 19, 2021

[Ed. note: This is one in a series of guest blogs by our Kartini School administrator, Mary Gunesch. With schools returning to at least partial in-person instruction we thought it a good time to focus on this subject.] At Kartini Clinic for Children and Families we take the second part of our … Read Post...

The Kartini Clinic Difference

At Kartini Clinic we practice only evidence-based, family-centered eating disorder treatment. Our program is a multi-disciplinary medical and psychiatric treatment model rather than an exclusively psychiatric approach to eating disorder treatment.  read more »

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