To Eat or Not to Eat: Why People Develop Eating Disorders
Eating Disorder Center of Denver 950 S. CHERRY ST. SUITE 1010, DENVER, CO 80246 1 866-771-0861
People with eating disorders often think of themselves negatively and are pessimistic about their shape, weight, as well as the food they have or have not eaten. This makes such disorders a serious and complicated issue, with strong psychological and medical components. Anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating often coexist with mental health issues such as anxiety, mood disorders, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. While these disorders encompass harmful eating practices, they can be the outward implication of deeper psychological problems. They are often hidden and private issues, which can develop long before they are recognized. There is, however, no single cause for eating disorders.
The Society’s Standard of Beauty Cultural and societal factors can cause eating disorders that greatly affect how people perceive beauty and appearance. The concept of beauty has changed significantly, focusing more being youthful, tall, thin, and having flawless skin. The media has altered the definition of beauty, and people everywhere are going great lengths to meet this concept of “ideal�.
Narrow and Shallow Ideals Trends in media and fashion perpetuate an unrealistic beauty standard for both men and women. Being thin or underweight is perceived as good, even though it has serious health risks. The sad truth is, not all can meet these narrow standards of beauty, as people have diverse backgrounds, and come in different sizes and shapes.
Family History of Eating Disorder Genetics may also play an important part, especially with certain factors such family history of eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Research suggests that disorders tend to run in families and is more likely to develop in identical twins than in fraternal twins or other siblings. Certain chromosomes are also associated with anorexia and bulimia.
Temperament and Personality A person’s personality or temperament may also indicate vulnerability to developing eating disorders. It can occur in people who are disciplined, perfectionists, achievers, and eager to please others. When certain traits are coupled with restrictive diet habits, this may accelerate the effects of starvation and aggravate the eating disorder behavior. Stressors, however, can also trigger eating disorders. This may include trauma like death of a loved one, major life changes, and physical illness that hinders appetite. Such triggers may result in starvation and weight loss, as people have no desire or do not feel well enough to eat. This may also cause malnutrition with serious repercussions on mind and body.
Resources: http://www.edcdenver.com/ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eatingdisorders/basics/causes/con-20033575 http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/handouts/eating_disorders_disturbances.ht m http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/problems/eat_disorder.html