The causes of eating disorders are many, and are widely varied. Most people know that societal pressure to be thin can cause eating disorder, but there are many other possible causes as well.
The causes of eating disorders are not well understood, and there are many theories about the issue. The truth is that an eating disorder in a person is probably caused by a combination of things, not just a single cause. Here are some of the possibilities.
Genetic Predisposition
Studies have found that if someone in your family has or has had an eating disorder, you are at a higher risk of developing an eating disorder yourself. Like many other psychological problems, there may be a genetic predisposition to eating disorders. This does not mean everyone with an anorexic or bulimic family member will develop the disorder, of course. There must also be certain life circumstances that contribute to the development of the disorder.
Societal Pressure to Be Thin
There is a lot of pressure to be thin in our society. We are bombarded with images of ridiculously thin people in the media. The average American woman is 5’4” and weighs 145 pounds, but the average fashion model is 5’8” and weighs no more than 118 pounds. This sends a very distorted message to the general public and is one of the better-known causes of eating disorders.
This pressure is even greater for those in the public spotlight, such as actress, models, and sports figures. A number of celebrities say that they developed eating disorders due to the pressure.
Family Patterns
The way food is dealt with in the family while a person is growing up can also help cause eating disorder. Children of parents who diet frequently are more likely to begin dieting themselves. Studies show that those who frequently diet are 18 times more likely to develop eating disorders than those who do not diet.
Children who grow up in homes where people frequently diet are also more likely to worry about their weight and to judge their appearance negatively. These habits can contribute to the causes of eating disorders.
Childhood Abuse
Childhood abuse and traumas are common causes of eating disorders. Childhood sexual abuse has particularly been linked to cause eating disorder. The exact reason for this is not well-understood, but it may have to do with control. Children who are abused have no control over the situation. They are powerless. Their eating is something they can control. That sense of control over eating helps them feel less powerless.
Conversely, some children who suffered abuse develop a binge eating disorder. They eat uncontrollably and gain far too much weight. They may subconsciously feel safer being a larger size.
Addiction
Many people with eating disorders struggle with addiction. They may be addicted to food, to diet pills, to laxatives, to exercise. Many people with eating disorders also abuse alcohol and/or drugs. It is believed that there is a predisposition to addiction, and this may cause eating disorder.
Treating the Things That Cause Eating Disorder
Successful eating disorder treatment programs must address the underlying issues that lead up to the development of the disorder. While there is little that can be done about a genetic predisposition to eating disorders, there is much that can be done about the other issues described above.
Cognitive therapy can help patients learn to develop more realistic views about body image. It can also help them examine the messages they received about weight and diet as children. In addition, nutritional education and counseling can help to counteract those messages.
Successful eating disorder treatment programs must also address issues of childhood trauma. Without addressing issues of trauma, remission may occur briefly but relapse will almost always occur.
Twelve-step groups are also often used in the treatment of eating disorders, whether or not the person has a substance abuse problem. These groups can address issues of addiction and provide much-needed support.
To learn about the link between eating disorders and the media, and celebrities with eating disorders, just follow the links provided. We also have information on getting help for eating disorders.