by Suzanne Rose

Created on: August 18, 2010

Eating disorders are dangerous entities that can destroy the health and even the very lives of both women and men.  There are many factors that influence such disorders, and everyone is affected by different things.  The following are some of these factors.

Their personality

Some people are more likely to suffer from an eating disorder than others.  They may have a need to be perfect, which could lead to an eating disorder.  They may have low self esteem.  They may have a body image disorder and see themselves as different than they really are.  They may have a compulsive disorder.  Many personalities and mental ailments can cause this.

Their home environment

A home environment can be conducive to an eating disorder.  For instance, if they grew up watching their mother always call herself fat even when she wasn't then that might influence a young daughter to think she is fat even if she isn't.  If she heard her father call her mother fat, then that could be a problem.  Of course if her parents make fun of how she looks, then that can do damage, especially if she is not really fat.  Of course, it is okay to encourage our children to eat healthy and exercise if they are very overweight but it needs to be done carefully and at a reasonable level.

Friends and other influences

One might get an eating disorder because of friends.  If all of a person's friends are very thin , someone might want to fit in to try to get such an image.  If her friends also have disorders then she might learn this behavior from them.  If she is made fun of because of her weight, then that might cause her to succumb to an eating disorder.  If she or he is told to lose weight for a job, then it can go far as well.

Culture

It is an unfortunate reality that almost all models and actors are extremely thin.  They are often a size 0, or the new 00.  Many people cannot achieve this sort of body, at least not by healthy means. Yet when this is what is portrayed as beautiful, then many people want to attain this. 

Eating disorders are extremely dangerous.  If you think that your loved one has such an issue, then you should take steps to help them overcome it because it can quickly become very dangerous.  The above factors may influence this behavior.

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