Sociocultural The media portrays images of flawless and thin females, which makes it hard for women to feel good about their bodies. More and more, men are also feeling pressure to have a perfect body. Peer pressure may fuel the desire to be thin, particularly among young girls. Psychological People with anorexia may have psychological and emotional factors that lead to anorexia. They may have low self esteem and decrease in self confidence. They may have obsessive compulsive personality traits that cause them to have restricted diets and starve themselves regardless of being hungry. They tend to be perfectionists and feel they are never thin enough. They dislike their appearance and feel hopeless. Biological Genetics, hormones, and chemicals such as serotonin in the brain all play a role in developing anorexia. Families If you have a mother or sister with anorexia, you are more likely to develop the disorder. Parents who think looks are important, diet themselves, or criticize their children's bodies are more likely to have a child with anorexia. Life Changes and Stress Traumatic events such as rape, divorce, death, and moving all play factors in developing anorexia.