Anorexia nervosa is more common in societies where being slim is thought to be attractive. Some experts think the media and celebrities play a part in encouraging this view. Young girls and teenagers are thought to be particularly vulnerable to this pressure.

When someone has anorexia, they are very anxious about their body shape and weight. This anxiety is caused by:

• thinking they are fat or overweight
• a strong fear of being fat, or
• wanting to be thin.

Many factors may contribute to someone developing anorexia. For example:

• low self-esteem,
• being overweight previously,
• a family history of an eating disorder,
• depression, or
• perfectionism - setting strict, demanding goals or standards, such as aiming for a very low body weight.

Other triggers can include changes in your life that bring fear and insecurity, or emotional stress and difficulties. For example:

• puberty,
• pressures and stress at school, such as exams or bullying,
• difficult family relationships,
• physical or sexual abuse,
• divorce, and
• bereavement.

The demands and pressures of some occupations and sports can also play a part in anorexia developing. For example:

• occupations, such as modelling and ballet dancing, and
• sporting activities, such as athletics, running, jogging, cycling and gymnastics.

Anorexic people can also have other mental health conditions. For example, some research studies have shown that:

• up to 63% of people with anorexia have depression, and
• 35% of people with anorexia have obsessive compulsive disorder.