What Causes Eating Disorders?

The cause of Eating Disorders isn’t entirely known. Each type of eating disorder is rather complex – with many different factors seemingly contributing to the onset of the condition.

Certain triggers may be involved. It is also believed that risk factors are present. Sometimes, there is simply no cause for an eating disorder.  

What is an Eating Disorder?

Eating Disorders: An Eating Disorder is a mental disorder that is characterised by abnormal eating habits, and generally, an unhealthy relationship with food. Eating disorders can cause intense mental suffering, and lead to physical health problems. There are several different types of eating disorders – each with their own set of symptoms. t is common for someone with an eating disorder to have a comorbid mental health condition.

What are some potential causes of Eating Disorders?

We take a look at some of the factors involved with eating disorders occurring:

• Genetics: Eating disorders appear to often run in families [1]. Having a parent who once had an eating disorder is a risk factor. Also, any family history of mental illness appears to be a risk factor. Again, a family history of substance abuse is also a risk. It is believed around 50% of eating disorders can be attributed to genetics [2].
• Abuse: Eating disorders sometimes due to the practice of comfort eating – where someone eats as a way of coping with intense emotional pain. This means that any form of abuse – such as physical, sexual or emotional, can lead to an eating disorder developing.
• Childhood Events: Any form of trauma during childhood could cause an eating disorder. Eating disorders often appear during early teenage years – a stage where several big life changes take place, making people vulnerable. Being criticised for eating habits during childhood too may have an impact.
• Upbringing: Having very strict or authoritarian parents could feasibly lead to a person having a negative or positive opinion towards food. Or if someone’s parents were absent or not caring, food may have become something that could be used to provide comfort.
• Trauma: Any trauma, like being bullied for the way a person looks, can cause eating disorders to appear.
• Other Mental Health Conditions: Eating disorders often run comorbidly with other mental health conditions. Depression and Anxiety may lead to an individual changing their opinion about food – putting them at risk. There is also an overlap between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and eating disorders. An overlap also exists with Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
• Workplace: If someone who works in a fashion-oriented environment, where there is a pressure to be slim, they may feel under pressure to be thin.
• Society: Unfortunately, society places an emphasis on people having ‘perfect bodies’. Social media may cause unrealistic expectations of body types – leading to people making drastic changes to try and look similar. Portrayals of men and women in the media – such as on television and in magazines, also create idealistic prospects. It is common for someone to compare themselves to others in the media.
• Personality Traits: Some personality traits like low self-esteem or self-loathing can leave someone vulnerable to developing an eating disorder. Feelings of worthlessness can lead to someone thinking negatively about themselves – with the idea that being thinner may improve their feelings. Being a perfectionist, obsessive behaviour and being self-critical are all other traits that can be damaging.
• Gastrointestinal Conditions: Those with conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestines, oesophagus and rectum), may be at heightened risk of developing an eating disorder.

Summary

A lot of the time there is no single cause of an eating disorder. It is possible that many different factors or events take place – accumulating to the point where an eating disorder develops.

Given the huge variety of possible causes, many, many people are vulnerable to developing an eating disorder.

See Also

1. Eating Disorders: Everything You Need to Know
2. What Are The Different Types of Eating Disorders?
3. What Are The Symptoms of Eating Disorders?
4. What Are The Causes of Eating Disorders?
5. How are Eating Disorders Diagnosed?
6. How Can Eating Disorders be Treated?
7. What is the Prognosis for Eating Disorders?
8. 10 Tips for Living With Eating Disorders