Why do eating disorders occur?

[Archbob]

So for serious eating disorders like anorexia, how do they start occuring? It is societal pressure or is there something genetic that leads to such eating disorders? Is it a combination of both and are there some people that are more prone than others to get the condition?

[attagirl]

I they occur when a person is emotionally abused by being told they are fat and sometimes we do this to ourselves as well. We are our own worst enemy.

[websurfpro]

Eating dissorders have much to do with our state of mind , we can loose or gain wight during a stressfull period of time, it depends on everyone`s body. I found an interesting article about this:


About Eating Disorders
by Robin F. Goodman, Ph.D. and Anita Gurian, Ph.D.

* Introduction
* Real Life Stories
* What are the symptoms?
* Who is likely to have it?
* Why does it happen?
* How is it treated?
* Questions & Answers
* About the authors
* Related books

Introduction

The overall term Eating Disorder refers to a variety of disorders, including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder. The common feature of all the disorders is abnormal eating behavior, often accompanied by a distorted body image. Anorexia Nervosa is diagnosed when a youngster's food restriction causes weight to drop 15% below what is normal. Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating are characterized by attempts to binge and/or get rid of food already eaten. Most recently neurochemicals have been implicated in the cause of eating disorders. A combination of medication, cognitive behavior, individual and family therapy are the most common forms of treatment.

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Real Life Stories

For 15–year–old Janine it started as a way to lose weight before the junior prom so she would look as good as the most popular girls in the school. She would drink just coffee for breakfast, have a hard-boiled egg and apple for lunch, then have lettuce and cottage cheese for dinner. This system worked so well that she continued it all summer until she fainted while walking her dog one night.

When 17–year–old Betsey found out how her best friend kept eating bags of chips and two bowls of ice cream every day for lunch without gaining weight, she decided she would also try throwing up after she ate.

Janine has Anorexia Nervosa and Betsey has Bulimia Nervosa.

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What are the symptoms?

The general umbrella term Eating Disorder refers to disordered eating, possibly including a compulsion to exercise, restriction of food, vomiting after meals, and a focus on eating but little pleasure in food. The youngster with the disorder usually has a distorted image of her body and herself. Not only is she unhappy about how she looks, but the unhealthy eating behaviors can lead to serious medical problems.

Eating disorders are most likely to start during puberty when teens are dealing with bodily changes and at the same time are faced with new academic and social pressures. Eating disorders can also occur when a teenager leaves home for the first time. Controlling food may seem like a good antidote to stress or loneliness, but it really doesn't change feeling unhappy.

There are three types of eating disorders:

Anorexia Nervosa or self-starvation is diagnosed when a person weighs 15% less than expected according to growth charts. The youngster also has fears about weight gain, an unrealistic image of her body, and possibly a loss or interruption of menstruation.

Bulimia Nervosa or binge eating and purging is not characterized by a specific weight loss, but rather by eating large amounts of food followed by behaviors to eliminate the food, such as vomiting, laxative use or excessive exercise. The behavior must occur at least twice a week for three months.

Binge Eating Disorder or recurrent episodes of binge eating, followed by periods of guilt and disgust, occurs without the purging behavior.

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Who is likely to have it?

As many as 3 to 5% of adolescent girls may have an eating disorder. Another two-thirds may be dieting even though their weight is normal. However they are not the only ones at risk. Even 9–year–olds are now worrying about what they eat. And although 90% of those diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa are female, boys are now 5 to 10% of the patients with Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa and about 4% of all the patients with Binge Eating Disorder.

Children and teens diagnosed with Anorexia have a 5 to 7% chance of dying within ten years and those with bulimia may die within five years from their disease or suicide. If treated, however, a person with an eating disorder has a 70% chance of a full recovery.

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Why does it happen?

There is no conclusive evidence that poor parenting or negative experiences with eating are the single cause of the disorder. Rather there is an array of risk factors -- psychological, familial and sociocultural. Youngsters who develop Anorexia are more likely to come from families with a history of weight problems, physical illnesses, depression and alcoholism. For the person with Anorexia restricted calorie intake may be accompanied by a feeling similar to the high induced by a release of opioids, a brain chemical. Youngsters who develop Bulimia are more likely to have a close family relative with the disorder, suggesting a biochemical predisposition or cause. The neurochemical serotonin has been implicated in the diagnosis of bulimia. Although a genetic factor may render a youngster prone to an eating disorder, other contributants, such as depression, peer pressure, unrealistic images in the media, abuse, overcritical and rejecting parents, or the use of food to show love, can all lead to or exacerbate the problem.

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How is it treated?

Identifying the problem—Unfortunately, a person with an eating disorder is not immediately recognized, and she may be praised for her appearance. Thus she may think she is fine and not want help. This makes it all the more necessary to get the opinion of a realistic adult. When friends know about the secret of an eating disorder, they should tell someone. Athletes and their parents should be wary of coaches who overemphasize body weight and performance at the expense of good health.

Medication may help alleviate the symptoms or relieve accompanying depression, anxiety or obsessive compulsive symptoms.

Multi-focused treatment can involve individual cognitive therapy that teaches the teen to have a more realistic body image, in conjunction with family counseling to improve communication and expression of feelings and support. Interpersonal and group therapies have also shown to be necessary components of treatment. The most important goal is to have the youngster accept her looks and learn strategies for healthy eating and for feeling successful in areas of life that don't involve food.

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Questions & answers

How do I know if my child has an eating disorder?

You may not realize it right away. It is common for youngsters to hide their weight loss by wearing loose fitting clothes or by engaging in other behaviors to disguise the disorder. Be concerned if your child complains of being fat, avoids meals, or makes excuses for a marked change in weight.

My child spends a lot of time in the bathroom after meals. Should I worry?

Certainly many youngsters, especially teens, seem to spend a lot of time in the bathroom analyzing and adjusting their appearance. However, the child with an eating disorder may go to the bathroom after meals to purge (a term used to describe vomiting) or take laxatives in order to get rid of food.

Should I force my child to eat?

Forcing anyone to do anything is never advisable. An eating disorder is a serious problem, but pressuring a child to eat will not change her behavior, her thinking or her self image. Forcing her can lead to increased tension and guilt, stresses that can exacerbate the problem. It is especially important to avoid power struggles and drama around food.

Isn't there a medication that can help?

There is no quick fix for a person with an eating disorder. There is evidence to suggest that medication can be enormously helpful, due to a possible neurochemical imbalance in the brain or for the accompanying depression.

How do I parent a child with an eating disorder?

Patience is critical. Although it is frightening to see a child physically compromised, intervention should be carefully planned, at times under medical supervision. Treatment can involve both the child and family over a period of time. Even when a child's weight returns to normal, it takes time for new, healthier behaviors and a realistic self-image to be established.

Why do eating disorders usually affect teenagers?

Adolescence, in addition to the individual family and psychological issues, presents a special stress. Entering adolescence is a more complex rite of passage than it has previously been. Adolescents have to accustom themselves to changes in their bodies as well as life changes, such as entering high school, beginning sexual relationships and psychologically separating from their parents.

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About the Authors

Robin F. Goodman, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist specializing in bereavement issues.

Related Books

To learn more about Eating Disorders, view this list of related books for professionals, parents, and children.

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Back to A-Z Disorder Guide: Eating Disorders

Posted 10/1/99, Reviewed 5/1/07