Defining Eating Disorders
Certain risk factors must be present for eating disorders to develop. Factors such as depression, low self-esteem, participation in sports such as gymnastics or wrestling, history of sexual abuse, or problems with other addictive behaviors such as substance abuse. Being part of a social group that emphasizes appearance or negative family attitudes toward weight, body size, or overall control issues also contribute to development. Some studies relate hormonal changes at puberty and a genetic component, but details of how this happens is not yet known. There is no one certain family environment that produces eating disordered children, and even in supportive families they can occur. Eating disorders can occur in all social classes and demographic groups.
The increased growth of organized sports for children starting even at the pre-school age can be another factor with children trying to live up to their parents’ expectation of being the best athlete in the group. Especially in sports such as dance and gymnastics where thinness is expected, participants are at increased risk for eating disorders. Participating in sports where body size is less important and where having fun and being active is the main objective greatly reduces the incidence of disordered eating. Good self-esteem and acceptance by family and peers at the size they are, also helps protect the adolescent from these disorders.