Anorexia is the second deadliest mental health condition, so it’s understandable to want to do everything possible to prevent it. The reality is that the causes of anorexia are extremely complex, and some of them—like genetic and biological factors—you can’t do anything about. But environmental factors also play a big role, meaning that there are steps you can take to prevent anorexia even in those who are predisposed to it. Read on to learn what everyone should know about how to prevent anorexia, as well as how to catch it earlier, which dramatically improves outcomes.

Who is at risk of developing anorexia?

Despite pervasive stereotypes that exist around who gets eating disorders like anorexia, they can affect any person, regardless of their demographic. “Anyone of any background, body shape, or age can get an eating disorder. Eating disorders don’t discriminate,” says Equip Therapist Lead Ana Gardner, MSW.

Gardner points out that while research on anorexia has focused on young females in Western countries, anorexia occurs globally in all ages and genders. And while anorexia can impact anyone, females are diagnosed at a higher rate: research shows that during their lifetime, up to 4% of females and up to 0.3% of males suffer from anorexia (though many males likely go undiagnosed due to stigma). These numbers may seem small, but they represent millions of people, which is sobering given the seriousness of this illness. “Anorexia specifically has one the the highest mortality rates of mental illnesses and is associated with higher rates of suicide,” says Gardner.

The major risk factors for people for eating disorders, including anorexia, include:

Family history of an eating disorder/genetic factors. Equip Lead Registered Dietitian Stephanie Kile MS, RDN, explains that those who have another family member (typically a first-degree family member) diagnosed with anorexia or another eating disorder have a higher risk of developing the condition, due to genetic factors. 

Losing weight. Gardner explains that for those who are predisposed to developing an eating disorder, significant weight loss in childhood or adolescence can trigger anorexia. In fact, at any age, being in a negative energy balance (aka eating fewer calories than you burn) can “turn on” an eating disorder in someone who is vulnerable to developing one.

Other mental health conditions. Those with anorexia often have co-occurring conditions, like depression, anxiety, or neurodivergence.

Perfectionistic personality traits. Studies have found that perfectionism is associated with a number of eating disorder diagnoses, including anorexia.

Exposure to trauma. About 25% of people with eating disorders have PTSD, and trauma can increase risk.

Elite sports. Athletes are at an increased risk of developing an eating disorder due to a variety of factors, including body-based pressures and normalization of harmful behaviors.

Use of appearance-focused social media. Research consistently shows that certain types and uses of social media increase body image distress and raise the risk of adopting disordered eating habits.

Bullying. Those who have had comments or been bullied about their weight or body, may also be at a higher risk.

Internalization of a thin-ideal. ““There are so many messages out there that restricting and smaller bodies are ideal and learning ways to achieve this are everywhere,” Kile says. “The ease of access to the information is always increasing, so learning typical anorexia behaviors is at anyone's hands.”

Body dissatisfaction. Poor body image for whatever reason is linked with a higher risk of developing an eating disorder.

Diet culture. We live in a society that consistently tells everyone (including impressionable young people) that thin bodies are better, and this can do considerable damage. “The messages we hear can impact how one perceives their body, the foods they consume or don’t consume, and how they move their body,” says Kile. “The culture you are around can also influence anorexia, both native culture of family origins and those you are commonly around, such as a sport, gym culture, or field of work.”

Why prevention is key: Understanding the harmful effects of anorexia

“Anorexia is a life-threatening illness that can have long-term consequences, up to and including death if not treated,” Gardner says. “If you or your loved one is struggling with anorexia, there is hope! You’re not alone and help is available. Anorexia is treatable. Prevention can reduce some risk factors and increase emotional resilience, and research suggests that earlier intervention is likely to shorten illness duration or improve outcomes in anorexia.”

Kile adds that while anorexia is a treatable condition, taking steps to prevent it will help lessen the burden and impact that the condition and treatment takes on a person and their family. “The impact this has trickles into every aspect of the individual and their families lives, making prevention important,” she says. “Treatment can take years for some due to requiring weight regain, learning new coping strategies, learning how to introduce movement back, rewiring the brain to continue to grow and develop properly, allowing the body to heal—and then, if they’re an adolescent, get back on their growth curves.”

How to prevent anorexia

While there is no single, surefire way to prevent anorexia, there are a number of things you can do to help drastically reduce the risk of you or a loved one developing it. Whether you’re worried about your child developing anorexia, or concerned about your own risk, consider these prevention strategies:

Know the genetic risks. Kile advises learning whether you have a family history of eating disorders. If you do, then “as a family, make it key to not allow diet culture to seep in and impact your family’s actions towards food and movement,” she says.

Avoid linking exercise with food. “Reduce negative body talk or making connections that movement is needed if you eat a particular food,” Kile says. Even seemingly harmless comments about “deserving” or “earning” foods because of physical activity can send damaging messages.

Promote healthy body image. “Educate yourself and your loved one on media literacy, diet culture, the unrealistic thin ideal and health at every size (HAES),” Gardner says. “Practice making affirming statements about others outside of their bodies—comments like, ‘I love your energy’ or ‘your personality really shines when XYZ.’ Compliment yourself and others outside of their appearance. Make your space an ‘anti-diet culture’ zone and redirect conversations when they talk about diet culture.”

Know what messages your child is hearing “Check in with your children if they are on a sports team or dance, or any club if coaches or instructors are teaching things about foods or bodies, so that you can provide greater insight on what was shared,” Kile says. “This is a common place where influence happens, and children trust that what people in these roles share are facts and truths, when sometimes it is just that individual's beliefs they are sharing with others.”

Have all foods fit. “Diet culture has villanized various foods and called them ‘junk’ or off limits,” Gardner says. “Refrain from demonizing any food, but include a variety of foods into your lifestyle. Aside from allergies, make room for all foods that you enjoy! Another way of saying all foods fit is saying all foods are your friend. This allows freedom with foods instead of a restrictive mindset. Practice regular eating and reach out to a HAES-aligned RD if you’re curious to learn more.”

Normalize body changes. “We live in a culture and society that expects bodies to stay the same for decades,” Gardner says. “We live in an anti-wrinkle, anti-aging, diet-culture society that has created unrealistic ideals. Normalize weight gain and body changes as individuals grow, age and develop. Allow, expect and embrace body changes as life happens.”

Promote healthy self esteem, coping skills and emotional resilience. “Find purpose, value and identity outside of appearance,” Gardner says. “Ask yourself, ‘What makes me me,’ ‘Who am I outside of my body and body image?’”

When to seek professional help for anorexia

According to Gardner and Kile, it’s time to see professional help for anorexia when you or your loved one:

• Have an intense fear of gaining weight or continual behavior to avoid or prevent weight gain
• Experience increased fatigue, weakness, or tiredness
• Have a preoccupation with weight and body size
• Notice shifting mentality around food (e.g. rejecting previously enjoyed foods and preferring “healthy” or low-calorie foods)
• Adopt strange behaviors around food, like playing with food instead of eating it, hiding food, lying about food, or eating in a ritualized way
• Engage in excessive or compulsive exercise (exercising when sick or injured, over-exercising, becoming distressed if a workout is missed)
• Use purging behaviors (vomiting, laxative/diuretic use)
• Refuse to eat with others or social withdrawal due to food
• Lose weight or fall off the growth curve
• Experience menstrual changes or amenorrhea
• Have anxiety around meals
• Experience increasing perfectionism, irritability, mood changes, or obsessive thinking about food/weight

“While prevention is a great goal, eating disorders impact anyone and everyone, so while you may take all the steps to prevention, don’t be discouraged if you or someone you love does get impacted with anorexia, just remember to take the steps towards care and continue moving forward,” Kile says.

If you’re concerned about your own risk of developing anorexia or worried about a loved one, our free eating disorder screener can help you determine next steps. You can also schedule a call with our team to discuss treatment options. Equip has no waitlist and is covered by most insurance.

FAQ

Who is at risk of developing anorexia?

Anyone of any age, sex, gender, race, or ethnicity may be at risk for developing anorexia, but certain factors elevate that risk. Some of these risk factors include genetics or family history of eating disorders, exposure to trauma, perfectionistic traits, other mental health conditions, use of appearance-focused social media, and body dissatisfaction, among others.

Can you prevent someone from developing anorexia?

While there is no single, proven strategy for preventing anorexia in those predisposed to eating disorders, prevention efforts still matter. Promoting healthy attitudes toward food and body image can reduce risk and knowing the warning signs can help you catch it early, which leads to better treatment outcomes.

What are some strategies to prevent anorexia?

It may be possible to reduce the risk of developing anorexia by encouraging balanced, flexible eating and an “all foods fit” approach, avoiding dieting and weight-focused talk, promoting body acceptance, and teaching coping skills for stress and perfectionism. It’s also important to continue checking in with loved ones who may be at risk, and consistently discussing the messages they’re receiving from outside sources regarding food, exercise, and body image.

What are some signs that my loved one needs anorexia treatment?

Some signs that a loved one needs anorexia treatment may include food restriction, fear of weight gain, obsessing over calories or exercise, avoidance of meals, physical changes, and intense distress around eating or body image. If these, or other signs of trouble arise, it’s important to seek professional help right away. You can schedule a call with an Equip team member to talk through your concerns and determine next steps.