| Eating disorders occur in 5–10 million of women and 1 million of men in the United States. In the general population, 1% of females suffer from anorexia nervosa, and 3%–4% of females have bulimia nervosa. Contemporary clinical research postulates that eating disorders have common etiological background. The following report is a meta-analysis review of the genetic, environmental, physiological, psychological, and sociocultural predisposing risk factors for anorexia and bulimia nervosa. The information presented in this report has far-reaching goals in educating the public at large about the etiologic complexities of eating disorders. The knowledge of predisposing risk factors for anorexia and bulimia nervosa has practical applications to the genetic counseling practice. The topics discussed in the context of this thesis present a working model to be applied in the elucidation of family history of eating disorders and providing the appropriate level of support and guidance to the at-risk family members. |
