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Some Possible Causes of Eating Disorders
Many theories abound as to what might cause eating disorders and there are many interwoven factors that may be
attributed to leading up to them. The fact is, for different people, different factors may come into play and all
of them together combine in producing starving, stuffing and/or purging individuals.
Possible Causes
Some researchers have found that genetic factors may be the reason why an estimated more than half of the
population may be at risk for developing anorexic nervosa, and more studies on the genetics of bulimia, as well as
binge eating, are ongoing.
Another cause of eating disorders may well be the temperament of the person, which is at least partially
genetically determined. There are a number of personality types, like the obsessive-compulsive or
sensitive-avoidant, who are more at risk for having an eating disorder than other people.
Recent studies reveal that genetic factors may predispose many people to have anxiety, perfectionism as well as
obsessive-compulsive thoughts as well as behaviors. Such people may have more eating disorders than others. Also, a
person whose mother or sister has had anorexia nervosa is more than ten times as likely to have this disease than
others who do not have a family history.
In addition, it has been shown that women who have developed anorexia nervosa have too much activity in the
dopamine receptors (that regulate pleasure) in their brains. It could also be that a person begins to starve, stuff
or purge themselves and such behavior alters the chemistry of the brain thus prolonging the disorder.
There are also studies that suggest there is a biological link that connects stress and the urge to eat and this
may be found in comfort foods that are high in sugar, fat as well as calories, which act to calm the responses of
the body towards chronic stress. It should also be noted that the hormones that are produced when a person is
stressed help to form fat cells. In Western civilizations, where life is competitive, fast paced, demanding and
full of stress, there may be a link between this type of modern lifestyle and the increased instances of
overeating.
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