Our Relationship with Food
Everyone’s relationship with food and their body is a little bit different. For some, body neutrality is a thing of ease: your body is simply a vessel that carries the important parts of you. For others, your physical appearance means everything, both good and bad.
Unfortunately, According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) 9% of the U.S population, 28.8 million American adults, will struggle with an eating disorder at some point in their lives. This is a staggering number. But what are the main causes of developing an eating disorder? Can some of it be prevented? While there is no black-and-white answer, biology may be involved more than you suspect.
How our genes form who we are
The entire basis for our being is our genetic composition. But does our personality come from nature or nurture? Psychologists and other scientists have been debating this for ages. The truth is, there is validity in each hypothesis.
Although we cannot pinpoint an exact cause of an eating disorder, studies estimate that between 40% and 60% of eating disorder cases can be attributed to genetic factors. Despite the fact that many eating disorders are regarded as psychological conditions, there are plenty of genetic contributions as well. For example, the same genes that give you the predisposition to type two diabetes can also contribute to developing anorexia nervosa.
Having these genes will certainly make you vulnerable to developing an eating disorder. Plenty of studies regard anorexia as a metabo-psychiatric condition, meaning that it is equally a psychological and metabolic or physical condition. This is one of the reasons why those who have lived with an eating disorder seem to be unable to gain or lose weight.
Genes connected to Personality Traits
Certain genes which can be linked to eating disorders are associated with particular personality traits, these traits are highly heritable and are often visible long before eating disorders may develop, they include:
- Obsessive thinking
- Perfectionistic tendencies
- Sensitivity to reward and punishment
- Emotional instability
- Hypersensitivity
- Impulsivity
- Rigidity
Studies of family members of sufferers of eating disorders have found a higher prevalence of eating disorders within the family.
Nature versus Nurture
We learn from our environment. Our parents or guardians, siblings, friends, and other role models influence much of our personality without even really noticing. If your mom put a huge emphasis on reading as a child, you may still have your nose in a book to this day. However, the flip side is true as well: this type of learning can apply to unhealthy practices too. If you see that your older sister has a distorted relationship with food and her body, you may learn the same habits.
Unfortunately, the only way to break this cycle is to recognize it happening. This can be very difficult to recognize and prevent in childhood and adolescence, the age when many eating disorders are developed. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to receive the necessary help you need.
Receiving the help you need
Despite your best efforts, you may develop an eating disorder at some point in your life. The sad truth is that so many people experience eating disorders. This is not to dismiss the severity of your personal disorder, but rather bolster hope that there are many treatment paths.
If you are struggling, try one or more of the following:
- Reach out to a hotline: If you are not ready to tell your friends and family about your eating disorder, there is a national eating disorder hotline that you are able to chat, phone, or text.
- Research treatment paths: There are plenty of treatment paths you can go down. Try researching a few to find one you think will be the best option for you.
- Tell someone you trust: Sometimes, your loved ones may not even know what you have been dealing with. Be sure to tell someone about the habits you have developed to get the help you deserve.
Ultimately, it does not necessarily matter what causes an eating disorder. The number one goal is ensuring both your physical and mental health are taken care of and you are safe. If you fear you are in over your head when it comes to your eating disorder, I encourage you to reach out to a trusted adult, friend, or family member to get the help you deserve. As a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, I can help you take productive steps soon to feel better about food, your body, and yourself. If you have questions, you can contact me through this website or if you are ready to start your healing journey you can book an appointment.
