What Causes Eating Disorders?
Why do people develop eating disorders? Why do young women develop eating disorders? Do men suffer from eating disorders?
These are all great questions. There are many causes of eating disorders. An eating disorder includes anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. It is not only thin people who suffer from eating disorders. In fact, overweight and average weight people also suffer from eating disorders.
The causes of eating disorders are complex and include combination of factors – genetic, biochemical, psychological, cultural and environmental factors all play a part in creating an eating disorder.
Genetic component of an eating disorder – There is evidence that suggests a family of history of eating disorders can increase the likelihood you will have one too. Eating disorders tend to run in families and identical twins seem to suffer from eating disorders more than fraternal twins. However, that could be attributed to the environment as well. Close siblings such as identical twins might share the disorder out of sympathy or as a companion. More study is needed.
Social influence – In today’s modern society thin is in and while often an eating disorder is not about the food it is about control. Being ultra thin like America’s Top Models means you are in control because the models are unnaturally and often unattainably thin – causing many young women to starve themselves or binge and purge to achieve such measurements. Beauty is heralded over brains in our society, especially with the advent of reality TV and extreme weight loss shows.
Psychological influence – Of course there are many risk factors involved that are psychological in nature. Those who are predisposed to perfectionism and OCD are at greater risk for eating disorders as are those with low self esteem. They may suffer from depression and physical/sexual abuse.
While the causes of an eating disorder are complex and multifaceted the treatment can be just as challenging. Rarely does an eating disorder simply go away on its own. If you or someone you know has an eating disorder please seek help immediately.
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