2.1 Describe possible causes of eating disorders

This guide will help you answer 2.1 Describe possible causes of eating disorders.

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that negatively affect a person’s relationship with food. They can cause extreme focus on body weight, shape, and eating habits. There isn’t a single cause for eating disorders. Instead, they are often linked to a combination of emotional, social, biological, and environmental factors. Understanding these causes can help support workers better assist those affected.

In this guide, we cover some of the most common causes of eating disorders.

Biological Causes

Biological factors relate to how a person’s body and brain function. These include genetics, brain chemistry, and hormonal changes.

Genetics:
Individuals with a family history of eating disorders are more likely to develop one themselves. Studies suggest certain genes may increase vulnerability to these conditions. This does not mean someone will definitely have an eating disorder, but it raises the risk.

Brain Differences:
Some areas of the brain, like those controlling hunger, reward, and emotions, may operate differently in people with eating disorders. For example, those with anorexia or bulimia often have altered activity in the parts of the brain that regulate how they perceive their own body size.

Chemical Imbalances:
Chemical imbalances refer to irregular levels of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals influence mood and appetite. An imbalance may increase the likelihood of disordered eating behaviours.

Puberty and Hormonal Changes:
Hormonal changes that occur during puberty may act as a trigger. This is especially true for teenagers who feel self-conscious about how their bodies are developing.

Psychological Causes

Psychological factors stem from a person’s thoughts, feelings, and emotions. They play a major role in the development of eating disorders.

Low Self-Esteem:
Many people with eating disorders struggle with feelings of inadequacy or worthlessness. They may use food control as a way to feel better about themselves.

Perfectionism:
Some individuals feel an intense pressure to look or behave in a certain “ideal” way. This perfectionism can cause them to develop harmful eating patterns in an attempt to meet unrealistic standards.

Trauma and Abuse:
Experiences of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can trigger eating disorders. A person may use disordered eating as a coping mechanism to deal with distress and regain a sense of control.

Body Dysmorphia:
This is a condition where someone has a distorted perception of their own body. They may see themselves as overweight despite being underweight. Body dysmorphia often overlaps with eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa.

Mental Health Conditions:
An eating disorder can coexist with other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression. For example, binge eating may be a way for someone to self-soothe depressive symptoms temporarily.

Social and Cultural Influences

Modern society and culture surround people with messages about beauty standards. These influences often contribute to the development of eating disorders.

Media Pressure:
Social media, magazines, films, and TV frequently portray an unrealistic body ideal. Images of thin or muscular bodies as the “perfect” figure can encourage unhealthy comparisons. Individuals may start dieting or exercising obsessively to replicate these images.

Diet Culture:
Diet culture normalises weight loss and promotes being slim as a symbol of health and success. Constant exposure to these ideas can push vulnerable individuals towards disordered eating.

Social Rejection or Bullying:
Children and teenagers who are teased or bullied about their weight or appearance are at a higher risk. These experiences may lead them to extreme measures to change their body shape or size.

Pressure from Peers:
Peer pressure can reinforce the need to conform to unrealistic body-image standards. This is especially common during adolescence when social approval is highly valued.

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

Environmental factors such as a person’s upbringing, environment, and lifestyle also affect their eating habits and mental wellbeing.

Family Dynamics:
Growing up in environments with high expectations or constant control can act as a trigger. For instance, families that put strong emphasis on appearance, dieting, or achievement may unintentionally pressure a young person to adopt unhealthy behaviours around food.

Socioeconomic Pressures:
Financial difficulties or social inequalities can impact self-worth. Stress from these challenges may lead to abnormal eating patterns, either as a coping mechanism or linked to restricted food access.

Access to Unhealthy Information:
Some online forums and social media pages promote harmful advice about dieting, purging, or excessive exercise. These spaces can encourage disordered eating behaviours.

Occupation-Related Pressure:
Certain professions place an intense focus on appearance, such as modelling, athletics, or dance. People in these industries may develop disordered habits to meet required body standards.

Environmental events can also include major life changes like divorce, the death of a loved one, or moving house. These disruptions can create stress or feelings of instability that may contribute to an eating disorder.

Influence of Early Relationships

The relationships formed during childhood can also have lasting effects on mental health and eating patterns.

Attachment Issues:
People with insecure attachments (for example, those who experienced neglect or inconsistent care as children) may develop disordered eating to address feelings of loneliness or abandonment.

Parental Examples:
Children often mirror the behaviour of their caregivers. If a child sees an adult constantly dieting, obsessing over weight, or expressing body dissatisfaction, they may adopt similar behaviours.

Overprotection or Neglect:
Both extremes—overprotective parenting and neglectful parenting—can create an environment where eating disorders thrive. Overprotection can make children feel powerless, while neglect can make children rely on food for comfort.

Genetic and Environmental Interactions

As eating disorders often result from several overlapping factors, it is common for genetic and environmental causes to interact.

For example:

• A person with a genetic predisposition to eating disorders may remain unaffected until they experience pressure from media or peers.
• Likewise, someone exposed to dietary restrictions in childhood may develop an eating disorder later in life due to hormonal changes or trauma.

Stigma and Misunderstandings

Stigma around body image and mental health can worsen the problem. People may feel ashamed to ask for help. They might isolate themselves and hide their symptoms. This delay in seeking support can make the disorder harder to treat and compound the causes.

Conclusion

Various factors contribute to the development of eating disorders. They often stem from a mix of biological, psychological, social, and environmental influences. Causes can vary from person to person, and one size does not fit all.

Support workers should approach each individual with empathy. Understanding potential causes can help identify triggers and address them more effectively. By creating a non-judgemental and supportive environment, you can help people living with eating disorders find the help they need.