Anorexia: A perverse effect of attempting to control the starvation response

Abstract

Starvation arouses evolved protective mechanisms including binge eating and increased metabolic efficiency and fat storage. When aroused by dieting, the experiences of out-of-control eating, increased appetite, and increased fat storage arouse greater fears of obesity, spurring renewed attempts to restrict intake severely. The resulting positive feedback cycle escalates into bulimia for many, and anorexia in a few.