Every case of an eating disorder is slightly different from the next because of the fact that each person who suffers from an eating disorder has their own personal history and experience. This also means that the causes of each eating disorder vary from person to person.
In order to better understand eating disorders for the sake of intervention, prevention and recovery insights, it’s helpful to build a deeper knowledge of what causes eating disorders and who is at a higher risk.
What triggers the development of an eating disorder?
Eating disorders are deeply complex mental health conditions that manifest through unhealthy relationships with food and body image. The more common ones include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED), although many off-shoots of these disorders exist as well, adding to said complexity.
For this reason, knowing the triggers of these disorders is crucial for effective prevention and intervention.
Mental health factors
Unsurprisingly, psychological factors play a significant role in the development of eating disorders. Low self-esteem, perfectionism and body dissatisfaction are frequently observed in clients battling eating disorders, in addition to displaying an intense fear of weight gain and obsession with body shape.
Stress and anxiety are also significant contributors. For some, restrictive eating or compulsive exercise becomes a way to exert control over their life amidst feelings of chaos, overwhelm and/or helplessness.
Furthermore, underlying mental health issues like depression or anxiety disorders can make eating disorder symptoms worse. Some may use disordered eating behaviors as a means of coping with emotional distress, feeling some sort of control or satisfaction in the way they treat their food intake or exercise regimen.
Because of this, addressing psychological triggers is essential when treating these disorders and preventing future symptoms.
Influences in the culture/society
The sociocultural environment significantly impacts whether or not an eating disorder may develop. The standards of society, as often seen in the media’s glorifying of thinness and criticizing larger body sizes, can pressure people to conform to unrealistic body standards and change their appearance to fit in/feel accepted.
This pressure is particularly prevalent among the younger generations who are constantly bombarded with images of ‘ideal’ bodies in advertising, television and social media. Such exposure can lead to body dissatisfaction and, ultimately, the adoption of harmful eating behaviors in the pursuit of an unattainable ideal.
Moreover, peer pressure and social comparison can also trigger eating disorders. In environments where there is a high emphasis on appearance and diet culture, individuals may feel compelled to engage in disordered eating to gain peer acceptance or approval.
Genes and family history
Research indicates that genetics play a vital role in the predisposition to eating disorders. Family studies show that individuals with a relative with an eating disorder are at a higher risk of developing one themselves.
Additionally, studies suggest that individuals with eating disorders may have altered brain structure and function, particularly in areas related to reward processing and impulse control. These biological differences can render individuals more susceptible to disordered eating patterns.
Environment
Environmental factors, such as a history of trauma or abuse, can also trigger eating disorders. Traumatic experiences, including physical, emotional or sexual abuse, may lead to disordered eating as a coping mechanism for handling the strong, abrasive emotions that come with these experiences.
Family dynamics and cultural background further impact the prevalence of eating disorders. In families where there is a high emphasis on dieting, weight and appearance, or where negative communication patterns and conflict are prevalent, individuals may be more likely to develop eating disorders.
Who is at higher risk for developing eating disorders?
While anyone can develop an eating disorder, certain populations are more vulnerable due to specific risk factors:
Teens and young adults
Eating disorders often develop during adolescence and young adulthood. This period of life involves significant physical, emotional, and social changes, which can increase vulnerability to body image concerns and peer pressure.
Women
While eating disorders can affect individuals of any gender, they are more commonly diagnosed in females. However, it’s important to note that males are also susceptible and may be underdiagnosed due to societal stereotypes and stigma. For young men battling eating disorders, though, help is just as readily available as it is for women.
Those with a family history
As mentioned above, genetics play a significant role in increasing the risk of developing an eating disorder. Those with a family history of eating disorders or other mental health conditions are at higher risk.
Those with underlying mental health conditions
People who suffer from other mental health conditions like anxiety, depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder — especially if they are untreated — are more prone to disordered eating habits. These unhealthy eating behaviors can become a mechanism for managing emotional distress.
Athletes
In certain sports that emphasize weight, weight class, aesthetics or endurance (such as gymnastics, ballet, wrestling and bodybuilding), athletes may face increased pressure to maintain a certain body type, leading to disordered eating patterns.
Individuals in high-stress environments
People who experience high levels of stress, chronic stress, or traumatic events may turn to disordered eating as a form of coping or exerting control.
People with perfectionist traits
Perfectionism and a strong desire for control are traits often associated with a higher risk of developing eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa or orthorexia.
Members of certain cultures/groups
Cultural and societal norms that emphasize thinness or stigmatize certain body types can increase risk, although eating disorders are found across all cultures and ethnicities.
Are you seeking help for triggered eating disorders?
Regardless of your situation, Seeds of Hope is here to help. Contact us anytime by filling out an online contact form or calling us at (610) 679-8262.
