Causes and Risk Factors
A Biopsychosocial Approach
There are so many avenues to developing an eating disorder. There is no one single cause but rather a complex interaction between the biological issues, such as genetics and metabolism, etc., psychological issues, such as control, coping skills, personality factors, family issues, and social issues, such as a culture that promotes thinness and media that transmits this message.
Dieting
Why do some dieters develop eating disorders and others do not?
In adolescents who develop eating disorders, those who were labeled as “severe dieters” had an 18 times greater chance of developing an eating disorder; with moderate dieting, 5 times greater; non-dieters a 1:500 chance of developing an eating disorder.
Genetics
Genes load the gun and the environment pulls the trigger. We are far from knowing specific genes that cause eating disorders. There are a number of genes that work with environmental triggers. Dieting and loss of weight may influence the development of anorexia by turning on a gene that may influence an eating disorder. There are many cases of transgenerational eating disorder and twin studies which make this connection. There is probably a 5-6 greater chance of developing an eating disorder if an immediate relative has an eating disorder.
Depression and Anxiety
Looking at depression and anxiety disorders as psychiatric illnesses which are biological in nature, we see that they commonly co-exist in the eating disorder patient and their families.
Excessive Exercise
Referred to as an exercise-induced anorexia, this concept is being explored.
There are so many avenues to developing an eating disorder. There is no one single cause but rather a complex interaction between the biological issues, such as genetics and metabolism, etc., psychological issues, such as control, coping skills, personality factors, family issues, and social issues, such as a culture that promotes thinness and media that transmits this message.
Dieting
Why do some dieters develop eating disorders and others do not?
In adolescents who develop eating disorders, those who were labeled as “severe dieters” had an 18 times greater chance of developing an eating disorder; with moderate dieting, 5 times greater; non-dieters a 1:500 chance of developing an eating disorder.
Genetics
Genes load the gun and the environment pulls the trigger. We are far from knowing specific genes that cause eating disorders. There are a number of genes that work with environmental triggers. Dieting and loss of weight may influence the development of anorexia by turning on a gene that may influence an eating disorder. There are many cases of transgenerational eating disorder and twin studies which make this connection. There is probably a 5-6 greater chance of developing an eating disorder if an immediate relative has an eating disorder.
Depression and Anxiety
Looking at depression and anxiety disorders as psychiatric illnesses which are biological in nature, we see that they commonly co-exist in the eating disorder patient and their families.
Excessive Exercise
Referred to as an exercise-induced anorexia, this concept is being explored.
