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Can Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa Be Considered as Biological and Mental Predispositions or Rather as Consequences of Factors in Society?

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Submitted By shaunakotecha
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Pages 20
Abstract

The main purpose of this extended project dissertation is as following: to explore the causes of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, in particular the biological, psychological and societal causes. Eating disorders are becoming increasingly common in today’s society and the causes of theses disorders are not completely known. This essay explores the symptoms of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, the risks and consequences of suffering from such disorders. The essay also concentrates upon how eating disorders are gradually affecting more and more men and children – something that was not often seen before.
The main focus of this project is to discover whether the causes of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa stem from pre-dispositions which are linked with the body and mind or rather stemmed from society. The main biological reasons which the essay focuses on are; damaged hypothalamuses and genetic hereditariness. The main environmental causes of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa that I have studied are media influences and undesirable conditions for raising children.
In writing this project I believe that I have developed valuable skills that I will need in my subjects which include; being able to extract key information from large pieces of text, researching, speedy note taking and the ability to weigh up two sides of an argument fairly and without bias. I am also aware that the skills I am developing while writing this dissertation such as analytical and evaluation skills will be invaluable in the subjects I am studying; English literature, History and Sociology and also when I reach University.

Introduction

Anorexia nervosa is a complex condition, involving psychological, neurobiological, and sociological components. It is an eating disorder that is characterised by a constant terror of

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