What causes eating disorders?

Some studies have also shown that there are biological factors involved. In other words, some people will be more likely to develop an eating disorder because of their genetic make-up.

What causes eating disorders?

In situations where there are high academic expectations, family issues or social pressures, you may focus on food and eating as a way of coping. Traumatic events can trigger an eating disorder. These might include bereavement, being bullied or abused, a divorce in the family or concerns about sexuality. Someone with a long-term illness or disability (such as diabetes, depression, blindness or deafness) may also have eating problems.

What causes eating disorders?

It’s unlikely that an eating disorder will be the result of one single cause. It’s much more likely to be a combination of many factors, events, feelings or pressures that lead to you feeling unable to cope.

These can include low self-esteem, problems with friends or family relationships, the death of someone special, problems at school, college, university or work, lack of confidence, or sexual or emotional abuse. Many people talk about simply feeling too fat or not good enough. You might use food to help you cope with painful situations or feelings without even realising it.

E (2020): Eating disorders:

If you have an eating disorder you may experience one or more of the following:

You have a preoccupation and concern about food and gaining weight.
You would like to lose weight even though friends or family worry that you are underweight.
You let people around you think you have eaten when you haven’t.
You’re secretive about your eating habits because you know they’re unhealthy.
Eating makes you feel anxious, upset or guilty.
You make yourself vomit or use laxatives in order to lose weight.

Anyone can develop an eating disorder, regardless of background.

E (2020): Eating disorders
Find out the facts about eating disorders, including what they are, who’s affected by them and what to do if you need help and support.
Whatever your age, it’s important to eat a healthy, balanced diet.

What is an eating disorder?

There are several different types of eating disorder, the most common being anorexia, bulimia and binge eating.

Eating disorders are mental health conditions that all involve an unhealthy relationship with food and eating, and often an intense fear of being overweight.

D (2020): Diabetes : What are the risk factors for diabetes?

Other specific types of diabetes, which may account for 1% to 5% of all diagnosed cases, result from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses.

D (2020): Diabetes : What are the risk factors for diabetes?

Risk factors are less well defined for type 1 diabetes than for type 2 diabetes, but autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors are involved in developing this type of diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs more frequently in Aboriginal, Indians and Sri Lankan and Pacific Islander people with a family history of diabetes than in other groups. Obesity is also associated with higher risk. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a 35% to 60% chance of developing diabetes in the next 10–20 years.

D (2020): Diabetes:

What are the risk factors for diabetes?

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, prior history of gestational diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, physical inactivity, and race/ethnicity. Aboriginal, Indian and Sri Lankan ethnicity and some Asian and Pacific Islanders are at particularly high risk for type 2 diabetes.

D (2020): Diabetes:

Other specific types of diabetes resulting from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses may account for 1% to 5% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

D (2020): Diabetes: What are the types of diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes, which was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes, may account for about 5% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, which was previously called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes, may account for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only pregnant women get. Gestational diabetes develops in 2% to 10% of all pregnancies but usually disappears when a pregnancy is over.