Causes of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are complex conditions that arise from a combination of factors. While each factor can contribute to the development & maintenance of an eating disorder, no single factor is the “cause” for disordered eating.
Psychological Factors that Can Contribute to Eating Disorders
- Low self-esteem
- Feelings of inadequacy or lack of control in life
- Depression, anxiety, anger or loneliness
- Body dissatisfaction
Interpersonal Factors that Can Contribute to Eating Disorders
- Familial concerns & struggles within personal relationships
- Difficulty expressing emotions & feelings
- History of being teased or ridiculed based on size or weight
- History of physical or sexual abuse
Social & Cultural Factors that Can Contribute to Eating Disorders
- Cultural pressures that glorify "thinness" & place value on obtaining the “perfect body”
- Narrow definitions of beauty that include only women & men of specific body weights & shapes
- Cultural norms that value people based on physical appearance
- The media’s portrayal of the ultra-thin ideal of beauty
Adapted from National Eating Disorder Association, 2006: www.NationalEatingDisorders.org.
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