Eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia, are

complicated, serious and potentially devastating. Theyre caused by a

complex combination of factors, including genetic, biochemical,
psychological, cultural and environmental. While researchers havent
been able to pinpoint the specifics behind these causes, they can
identify various factors that make individuals susceptible to eating
disorders.
There are many misconceptions in our society about what
causes eating disorders. Eating disorders are rarely about food or
wanting to be thin. Instead, sufferers use food and unhealthy
behaviors like dieting, starving, bingeing and purging to cope with
unpleasant and overwhelming emotions and stressful situations. t
least in the short term, these behaviors relieve anxiety and stress.
!ong term, however, they actually increase anxiety and stress and
create other serious complications.
Eating disorders are illnesses, not character flaws or choices.
Individuals dont choose to have an eating disorder. "ou also cant tell
whether a person has an eating disorder #ust by looking at their
appearance. $eople with eating disorders can be underweight,
normal weight or overweight. Its impossible to diagnose anyone #ust
by looking at them.
While no one thing causes eating disorders, here are some of the
factors that may contribute to the problem%
&enetics
&enetics has a significant contribution and may predispose
individuals to eating disorders. 'esearchers have found that eating
disorders tend to run in families. lso, there seem to be higher rates
of eating disorders in identical twins than in fraternal twins or other
siblings. In addition, specific chromosomes have been linked to both
bulimia and anorexia.
(iochemistry
Individuals with eating disorders may have abnormal levels of certain
chemicals that regulate such processes as appetite, mood, sleep and
stress. )or instance, both people with bulimia and anorexia have
higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. *ome research also
suggests that individuals with anorexia have too much serotonin,
which keeps them in a constant state of stress.
$sychology
+arious psychological factors can contribute to eating disorders. In
fact, eating disorders are common in individuals who struggle with
clinical depression, anxiety disorders and obsessive,compulsive
disorder. -ther factors include%
. !ow self,esteem
. )eelings of hopelessness and inade/uacy
. Trouble coping with emotions or expressing your emotions
. $erfectionism
. Impulsivity
0ulture
1ieting, body dissatisfaction and wanting to be thin are all factors that
increase the risk for an eating disorder. 2nfortunately, our society
encourages all three. "ou cant walk by a cash register without seeing
a maga3ine that encourages rapid weight loss, calorie counting or
feeling guilty after a meal. 4ere are some aspects of our culture that
contribute to eating disorders%
. n over,emphasis on appearance, at the expense of more
meaningful attributes
. *ocietal beauty standards that promote an unrealistically thin
body shape
. ssociating thinness with positive /ualities like attractiveness,
health, success and love
. 5edias focus on dieting and striving for a slim and toned
silhouette
. 5essages that perpetuate a fear of fat and food6 viewing fat as
undesirable or foods as 7good,8 7bad8 or 7sinful8
Environment
"our environment can also play a ma#or role in developing an eating
disorder. These factors include%
. )amily or other relationship problems
. 1ifficult or turbulent childhood
. 4istory of physical or sexual abuse
. ctivities that encourage thinness or focus on weight, such as
gymnastics, dancing, running, wrestling and modeling
. $eer pressure
. (eing bullied because of weight or appearance in general