Based on the age of onset, when is anorexia nervosa most likely to begin?

• A. After age 40
• B. In early childhood
• C. During adolescence
• D. In late adulthood

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by restrictive eating and an intense fear of gaining weight.
2. Recognize that the 'age of onset' refers to the typical period in life when symptoms of a disorder first appear.
3. Review psychological research and clinical data which indicate that anorexia nervosa most commonly begins during adolescence, a developmental stage marked by significant physical, emotional, and social changes.
4. Compare the given options: 'After age 40', 'In early childhood', 'During adolescence', and 'In late adulthood', and consider which aligns with the typical onset period found in studies.
5. Conclude that 'During adolescence' is the most accurate choice based on the typical age of onset for anorexia nervosa.