title: [Self-starvation over 1500 years: the work of God, the devil or weight-control?].
abstract: For centuries self-starvation among young women has been the subject of intensive discussion. First and foremost it has been a question of debate over aetiological models. During the middle ages, the central issue was whether self-starvation was the work of God or the devil. Subsequently the question was whether the explanation was scientific or religious. The aim of medical science was to find a scientific explanation or debunk the phenomenon as fraudulent. The causes of self-starvation remain unclear. During the nineteenth century, the focus switched back and forth between biological and psychosocial models. Current multifactorial aetiological models take into account biological susceptibility, socio-cultural factors and psychological vulnerability.
authors.affiliation: Karolinska institutet, Huddinge sjukhus.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hällström
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000235:genetics / Q000266:history* / Q000523:psychology; D001505:Beauty Culture; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004739:England; D005215:Fasting / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008960:Models, Psychological; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000266:history / Q000523:psychology; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D018597:Saints / Q000266:history; D016387:Women's Health
vernacular_title: Självsvält under 1,500 år: verk av Gud, djävulen eller viktfixeringen.