Anorexia could be predisposed
Those who suffer from anorexia may be predisposed to the condition and develop it in the womb, reports the Guardian website.
A new study monitored girls and women from the UK, Norway, and America aged between 12 and 25 who had been admitted to clinics for anorexia. Researchers discovered that 70% of participants had damage to their neurotransmitters which help brain cells communicate with each other. This damage can occur in the womb, and causes the child to experience vulnerability, making them more likely to develop an eating disorder.
This research proves the opposite to what was previously thought about anorexia – that developing the illness causes changes in the brain, when in fact the person is already susceptible to it. It also means that arguments which blame the media for putting pressure on girls to be thinner are also flawed.