Neuroanthropology applied to eating disorders: A field of study for eating practices

Abstract

Background

Anthropology is a discipline recently recognized as a science describing the relationship humans establish with the environment.

Objectives

To investigate the relationship between anthropology and neuroscience in EDs and cover the themes of (1) the relation between neuroscience and anthropology and (2) studies on neuroanthropology applicable to eating disorders.

Methods

A search was performed in the PubMed and SocINDEX databases.

Results

Most of publications (n = 13) approach health, anthropology, and culture. Publications about neuroscience ad anthropology (n = 8) were discussed with a focus on neural areas, such as the amygdala and the interactions between emotions about food and emotional eating.

Discussion

There is a notion of a two-way hand where we modify and are modified by the environment, and, in this process (anthropological manifestations) are possible because of the enormous complexity and multifunctionality of the brain and EDs development. In other words, culture is the result of human brain development.

Conclusions

Considering the relationship between the biological aspects and sociocultural involved in eating disorders (EDs), the changes in the environment and new adaptations, established beauty standards, and the emergence of disordered eating behaviors indicate that the social-cultural aspects could be possible facilitators of neural changes.