Final answer:
The self-starvation cycle that initiates the activity-anorexia cycle in humans is most likely caused and maintained by a combination of biological and environmental factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The self-starvation cycle that initiates the activity-anorexia cycle in humans is most likely caused and maintained by a combination of biological and environmental factors.
Biologically, genes may play a role as having a close biological relative with an eating disorder increases one's own risk. Neurotransmitter imbalances, such as the deregulation of serotonin and dopamine, can affect appetite and eating behavior. Hormonal imbalances, particularly with leptin and ghrelin, can also influence appetite and eating.
Environmentally, cultural influences, such as the idealization of thinness, can contribute to the development and maintenance of the self-starvation cycle.