Adapted to Flee Famine: Adding an Evolutionary Perspective
Psychological Review 2003
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is commonly attributed to psychological conflicts, attempts to be fashionably slender, neuroendocrine dysfunction, or some combination of these factors. Considerable research reveals these theories to be incomplete. Psychological and societal factors account for the decision to diet but not for the phenomenology of the disorder; theories of biological defects fail to explain neuroendocrine findings that suggest coordinated physiological mechanisms. This article presents evidence that AN’sdistinctive symptoms of restricting food, denial of starvation, and hyperactivity are likely to be evolved adaptive mechanisms that facilitated ancestral nomadic foragers leaving depleted environments; genetically susceptible individuals who lose too much weight may trigger these archaic adaptations. This hypothesis accounts for the occurrence of AN-like syndromes in both humans and animals and is consistent with changes observed in the physiology, cognitions, and behavior of patients with AN.
Hello,
I have looked over your article and have one question regarding the evolutionary theory and the issue of “safe” and “unsafe” foods in anorexia. Has anyone done an analysis of “safe” and “unsafe” foods from an evolutionary perspective? I think that another element to anorexia may be the desire to avoid food which is poisonous or contaminated. The case in point would be myself. I am a 19 year old male who struggles with severe calorie restriction. The reason for my “anorexia”(I have to use quotes as my BMI is 21) has nothing to do with weight. The reason for my troubles is that I grew up in a household full of rotting food(my mother is a severe hoarder). My minds construct of “safe” and “unsafe” foods is literal. Some foods for me where “safe”(fresh) and others where “unsafe”(rotten).
When I speak with other people who have anorexia, I find that our emotions regarding safe and unsafe foods are rather similar. So it would make sense that there is similar pathology. What do you think?
Thank you,
Tim