Who Gets Eating Disorders? 

Generally, an eating disorder can strike any person.  However, there are some factors that make some groups more susceptible to getting an eating disorder than others.  This chapter will explain these factors in greater detail.

1.  Gender

The majority of eating disorders affect women, since society is much stricter when it comes to women's weight then men's.  However, at least 10 percent of men also suffer from eating disorders. 

2.  Age

Bulimia, anorexia and EDNOS tend to affect people between the ages of 15 and 25.  Other types of eating disorders can strike a person at any age.

3.  Low Self-Esteem

Binge eating and eating disorders that result in weight loss can result from low self-esteem.  In the case of binge eating, the person finds an 'escape' through their eating, yet when their binging is over, they feel worse about themselves, which may get the process started all over again.  For those going through eating disorders that cause them to lose weight, they gain their self-esteem based on how others feel about them. 

4.  Race/Culture

Eating disorders that result in weight loss tend to affect upper-class Western white women, though more and more women of color all over the world are also developing them.  In fact, according to TheAsianNews.com, Northwest Asian women are actually more likely to get anorexia than Caucasian women.  This is because in order to get a husband, they must be skinny.

On the other hand, in the United States binge eating affects whites and blacks equally.  In cultures where a voluptuous women is considered more attractive, binge eating might be used to get them to 'bulk up' for their potential husband. 

5.  Mental Health

Sometimes depression or other mental health conditions could put a person more at risk for developing an eating disorder. 

6.  Sexual Abuse

Some studies have shown that women who have experienced sexual trauma in their childhood years may be more at risk for developing an eating disorder.  They may use the eating disorder as a form of self-punishment for somehow 'causing' their sexual abuse.  Or they may use it to try and be perfect enough to get 'accepted'  either by society or by an individual.

7.  Job Choice

Some people who started off eating normally may turn to an eating disorder in hopes of losing weight to keep their jobs.  Industries that have strict weight requirements include: modeling, acting, gymnastics, dancing and horse racing. 

8.  Family History

Some studies have shown a familial link to eating disorders.  It is unknown if such a connection is genetic or psychological.  For example, a mother that becomes anorexic may unintentionally encourage the wrong type of ideals with her daughters.  They may think weight is all that matters, and follow their mother's example. 

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