Biological causal factors of anorexia nervosa include genetic predisposition, serotonin regulation, and physiologic weight set points. Given the prevalence of this disorder, it seems unlikely that biological causes alone could account for it.

Research eating disorders using your textbook and the Argosy University online library resources. Based on your research, respond to the following:

Comment on the relative strengths of biological causes compared to sociological or individual causes. Consider the types of anorexia nervosa in your argument.

Explain any treatment strategies that would support your argument.

Does obesity share anything in common with anorexia nervosa? Consider obesity causal factors and whether obesity is truly a mental disorder.

In Module 5, our focus begins by looking at eating disorders. There are only three diagnoses in this category: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and eating disorder not otherwise specified.

Eating disorders can arise from multiple causes. Among the causative factors is society's focus on thinness. Young girls are often confronted with images of "popularity" that equate to thinness. This can lead to poor self-esteem and childhood attempts at restricting food intake and dieting.

Another factor involved in disordered eating behavior is an overly controlling family environment or focus on body image-common among athletes such as gymnasts and ice skaters and also seen in dancers.

Early childhood trauma, particularly sexual abuse, has also been correlated with eating disorders.

An often-overlooked area of eating disorders is its prevalence among men and adolescent boys. Consider a high school wrestling team that emphasizes "making weight," often by extreme measures. These behaviors can result in eating disorder-like behavior (especially bingeing) for years after the individual's wrestling career ends.

Obesity has become an epidemic in U.S. society. While some have observed that food can be an addiction, others disagree as food is a necessity for life. Certainly, some people "binge" because they are upset, and the connection between overeating and mood is important to consider in treating obesity in a medical setting.

The following links may be useful in responding to this discussion question:

National Eating Disorder Association (2004) Retrieved from: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/nedaDir/files/documents/handouts/WhatCaus.pdf

University of Maryland Medical Center (2011). Retrieved from: http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_causes_eating_disorders_000049_3.htm

CBS News. (2007, October 16). Anorexia's living face [Video File]. Video posted to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS2mfWDryPE

National Institute of Mental Health. (2010). Eating disorders. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/complete-index.shtml

National Eating Disorders Association Web site. Retrieved from http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

Write your initial response in 3-4 paragraphs. If you refer to research information, cite sources applying APA standards.