Eating disorders are complex and possibly life-threatening conditions that interfere with a person’s eating behaviours and relationship with food. These disorders can affect individuals of any body size, underweight, normal weight, or overweight and are often driven by a distorted perception of body image.
While there are many types of eating disorders, common ones include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.
Why do people have eating disorders?
There is no single cause of eating disorders. Instead, these conditions result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, social, and environmental risk factors. Eating disorders often develop as a way to cope with overwhelming stress, even if the behaviour ultimately harms the person’s health.
Biological factors
These factors predispose an individual to developing an eating disorder. They include:
- Genetic predisposition (e.g., family history of eating disorders or mental illness)
- Neurochemical imbalances in the brain
- Early puberty (especially in girls)
- Co-occuring mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or substance abuse
Psychological factors
- Body image dissatisfaction
- Body dysmorphia
- Perfectionism
- Low self-esteem
- Tendency to be highly concerned about the opinion of others
- Mental illnesses, particularly anxiety disorders
- Possessing maladaptive coping mechanisms like resorting to avoidant approaches to deal with stressors in life
Early experiences or Social factors
- Bullying (particularly surrounding the topic of weight - e.g. ‘fat-teasing’)
- Abuse and trauma at a young age
- Having a limited social network
- Weight stigma in one’s culture
- Exposure to cultural ideas around thinness and appearance
- Dysfunctional family relationships
- Pressures to achieve and succeed in academic, social or athletic settings
What are the consequences of eating disorders?
The negative consequences of eating disorders target both physical and mental aspects of wellbeing.
Mental health
The damaging effects of eating disorders also extend into long-term consequences of increased psychological distress, which may include:
- Low energy and fatigue
- Sadness
- Anxiety
- Avoidance of social situations
- Fear
- Anger
- Guilt
- Mood swings
Physical health
The statistics indicate that those affected by anorexia nervosa tend to be women. With this in mind, eating behaviours seen in anorexia tend to disrupt the reproductive health of women, like consecutively missing menstrual cycles.
The physical effects of anorexia nervosa are drastic. With the self-starvation involved in anorexia nervosa, the body is denied the essential nutrients it needs to function normally. This can cause:
- Slowed metabolism
- Stunted growth (especially if it occurs during late childhood or adolescence)
- Dry scaly skin
- Brittle hair
- Osteoporosis
- Neurological problems like loss of brain volume
- Tooth decay
The physical health damages of bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are somewhat similar to anorexia nervosa. There are, however, other specific consequences related to purging that are listed below.
- Increased risk of cardiac arrest due to electrolyte imbalances
- Gastric ulcers
- Dental erosion or discolouration from vomiting
Common misconceptions on eating disorders
❌ “Eating disorders are attention-seeking behaviour”
Those experiencing eating disorders are not seeking attention. In fact, those with eating disorders usually go to great lengths to try to hide, disguise, unacknowledge or deny that there is anything wrong with their behaviour.
❌ “Eating disorders are a lifestyle choice and it isn’t serious”
Eating disorders are not voluntary or a choice. They are serious mental illnesses that require professional support. Many people with eating disorders also have co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, or sleep disorders.
❌ “You can tell by looking at someone that they have an eating disorder”
Eating disorders can come in all shapes and sizes. Someone could be considered of normal size or weight and still be diagnosed with an eating disorder.
❌ “Eating disorders only affect women and girls”
Eating disorders affect people of all genders. Around one-third of those affected are male and awareness of eating disorders in men is increasing.
❌ “Eating disorders are for life once you have it”
Treatment and recovery from an eating disorder is possible at any age or point in life. While the recovery journey can be challenging, with the right support and treatment, people can overcome eating disorders and go on to lead fulfilling lives.
