By: Victoria Igual
These risk factors are potential "red flags" or markers to help and diagnose persons that may have an eating disorder. If you have family, friends, or other close people in your life you think may have an eating disorder – reach out and help them get treatment.
Biological
Have parents, siblings, or other relatives with an eating disorder or mental illness (such as anxiety, depression, addiction, etc.)
Have been on diets at a young age (ex. due to being overweight as a child)
Practice a sport that emphasizes body shape and weight (such as gymnastics and ballet)
Type I Diabetes – also known as “Diabulimia” – wherein patients skip their insulin injections in order to lose weight
Psychological
Perfectionism
Either set by parents or self-oriented, it is the desire and need to acquire either good grades or do well in sports, this perfectionism can also be applied to how they want to look
Pre-existing mental illness
Anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder are common mental illnesses that have a relationship with eating disorders
The need for control is usually the common reason why eating disorders are triggered
Behavioral inflexibility
In other words, these people tend to be close-minded. They usually have learned growing ways to lose weight or be healthy – which tend to be restricting calories and exercising which can be taken to an extreme. They believe it's the “only right way” despite its negative side effects.
Social
Body image stigma
The stigma that “fat” is bad and “thin” is good is what leads to distorted body image. The exposure especially from social media heightens this need to look like the “ideal body” for both men and women. There is noticeable discrimination in both social media and in the real world towards men and women that are seen to be overweight or obese which can be damaging to a person’s mental health.
Have been bullied
Weight shaming, especially at a young age can allow a slow but dangerous spiral into extreme dieting, focusing on body weight, altering the way they dress to hide their bodies, and self-isolation.
Culture
Every culture has their “ideal body” and this influences the comments and compliments someone receives. For example, in most Asian cultures being petite is something that is desired. Relatives tend to be the culprits when it comes to unnecessary comments about body weight and shape in this culture.
Key Words: diet, depression, anxiety, mental health, treatment, diagnosis, body image
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