Are there practical ways to reduce the odds of anorexia nervosa?

The good thigs in : Life! good nutrition, good exercise, good relaxation, good friends, good support and good love. Even with all that, it can still happen, and if it does, early intervention is the key.

Pick your parents: Most cases of anorexia are the result of a neuropsychiatric disorder, inherited. Eg, obsessive compulsive disorder, dysmorphism disorder, bipolar disorder. So recognizing the underlying causation of the anorexia is best step. Healthy life style is important, but anorexics take diet consciousness & exercise to the extreme.