This rejection is variously interpreted as a desire to remain a child, or as a desire to resemble men as closely as possible. A reaction to sexual abuse or assault. A desire to appear as fragile and nonthreatening as possible. This hypothesis reflects the idea that female passivity and weakness are attractive to men. Overemphasis on control, autonomy, and independence.
Some anorexics come from achievement-oriented families that stress physical fitness and dieting.
Evidence of family dysfunction. In some families, a daughter's eating disorder serves as a distraction from marital discord or other family tensions. Inability to interpret the body's hunger signals accurately due to early experiences of inappropriate feeding. Although anorexia nervosa is still considered a disorder that largely affects women, its incidence in the male population is rising. Less is known about the causes of anorexia in males, but some risk factors are the same as for females.