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What are the causes of eating disorders?

• What are the causes of eating disorders?
  • Psychological Factors
  • Interpersonal Factors
  • Social Factors
  • Physiological Factors
  • External Factors

There is no single cause of an eating disorder. Eating disorders are complex conditions thought to be caused by a combination of psychological, interpersonal, social, physiological and external factors.

Psychological Factors:

• Low self-esteem.
• Feelings of lack of control in life.
• Feelings of inadequacy.
• Depression, anger or anxiety.

Interpersonal Factors:

• Difficulty expressing emotions and feelings.
• Troubled personal or family relationships.
• Sexual or physical abuse.
• History of teasing or bullying based on weight or shape.
• Ineffective coping strategies.

Social Factors:

• Current cultural emphasis on the "perfect body" being a slim shape.
• Cultural value placed on "thinness" as an inextricable part of beauty.
• Valuing of people according to outward appearance and not inner qualities.
• Media and popular culture's portrayal of men and women's shapes that are not representative of "real" men and women.

Physiological Factors:

• Scientists are currently researching possible biochemical and biological factors in eating disorders.
• Research has indicated that in some people with eating disorders there is an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain.

External Factors:

• Life events (ie loss of a family member or friend, moving schools or jobs).
• Dieting.
• Accumulation of stress without adequate strategies to cope.