Eating Disorders:Causes and Risk Factors

There are many theories about what causes eating disorders and for each person the reason can be different. However, most eating disorders are caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors and sometimes the cause may not be completely clear.

Biological

• A family history of anorexia, bulimia and/or binge eating disorder may make certain people more at risk to have an eating disorder because of their genes or family upbringing
• Chemicals in the brain that control hunger, digestion, and appetite

Psychological

• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Past or current trauma such as physical, emotional or sexual abuse
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Desire to have control over some aspect of life
• Inability to control behaviors
• Personality traits such as perfectionism (wanting to be perfect), extreme desire to succeed, and impulsivity (doing things without planning or considering the consequences)
• Family values about body size, appearance and food
• Low self-esteem or self-worth
• Sense of loss

Environmental

• Society's intense focus on thinness and dieting
• Participation in sports that focus on body shape and size such as dancing, rowing, gymnastics, track, wrestling, etc.
• Abusive or troubled relationships that cause emotional stress and feelings of loss of control
• Stress at school, sports, with peer groups, etc.
• Specific cultural attitudes about how a woman/man should look and behave

Written and reviewed by the CYWH Staff at Boston Children's Hospital
Source: youngwomenshealth.org