THE SOCIOCULTURAL THEORY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANOREXIA-NERVOSA

The relationship between anorexia nervosa (AN) and sociocultural facto rs is examined. Anorexia nervosa was first described in the West and w as reported as particularly rare or absent in Eastern cultures. Howeve r, the frequency of its presentation has increased worldwide over the past two decades, probably as a consequence of changes in cultural nor ms and concepts of feminine beauty and an increasing inflow of Western values into other countries. Sociocultural factors are important in t he development of AN in psychologically vulnerable young females, alth ough other factors may also be implicated.