Socio-cultural factors in anorexia nervosa

Socio-cultural factors are one of the important variables involved in development of anorexia nervosa. The prevalence of the illness has shown a definite increase in last few decades. Certain other important sociocultural variables like familial interaction patterns, parental attitude towards weight control, desirability for slimness and thinness also have a deciding role. Stress of any kind can act as a precipitating factor. We report here a patient of anorexia nervosa, in whom the above mentioned factors, accompanied by a recent stress played an important role in the development of illness. Role of socio-cultural factors in the genesis and management of anorexia nervosa have been discussed.