Evolutionary Explanations of Anorexia

Evolutionary Explanations of Anorexia

1. Reproduction success hypothesis

   • AO1
     • Wasser and Barash
       • By supressing reproduction until future conditions for the survival of their offspring are highly likely to be better, females can optimize their lifetime reproductive success
     • When there are poor environmental conditions, delay until pregnancy would be less complicated and greater chances of survival of offspring
     • delaying reproduction= reduce food intake = low body fat = termination/delay of ovulation and amenorrhea = Anorexia Nervosa
     • Surbey
   • AO2 & 3

2. Parental Manipulation Model

   • AO1
   • AO2 & 3

3. Sexual Competition Hypothesis

   • AO1
   • AO2 & 3

4. Flee from Famine Hypothesis

   • AO1
   • AO2 & 3