Overview

Eating disorders are common in cultures or societies that idealize being thin, but can be diagnosed in people from any culture. Social media, television, and other media have created an unrealistic image of the perfect, successful person. The pressure to be thin can lead to intense dieting, even in very young children. This can turn into an eating disorder if you are more likely (predisposed) to get the disorders.

Jobs and sports that require a certain body type may also indirectly encourage eating disorders. Ballet, gymnastics, modelling, acting, running, figure skating, swimming, jockeying, and wrestling often emphasize or require a thin, lean body or encourage monitoring weight to participate.

Family attitudes or dynamics may contribute. A child or teen predisposed to develop an eating disorder may be more greatly affected by family characteristics like:

• concern about physical fitness or appearance, including parent’s own body weight and that of the child (or children)
• an emphasis on high achievement or being perfect
• difficulty talking about or coping with negative emotions like sadness or anger
• being overprotective or too involved in the child or teen's life, dieting, or strict rules about food within the family

If you have an eating disorder, you may be more sensitive to stress or tension within your family. You may be worried about disappointing your parents or trying to control conflicts or challenges within your family.