Some use their anorexia as a form of rebellion against their parents, or even manipulate their own body shape to declare that they are no longer their parent's possession. Some girls who lack self-confidence become habituated to using their appearance to gain the approval of elders and peers.
還有些人用厭食反抗雙親，甚至藉由主宰操控自己身體的胖瘦，來宣示不再是父母的資產；有些缺乏自信的女孩，則習慣以外貌及表現來換取師長及同儕的認同。