Table 1 Specific examples of cited causes of eating disorders
Coded Category | Causes |
|---|---|
Traumatic life events | Sexual assault, college entry, abuse |
Family problems | Comments from family, pressure from parents, need for praise, conversations about weight |
Social problems | Bad romantic relationship or break-up, pressure from peers, teasing, social isolation |
Psychological and emotional problems | Stress, depression, anxiety, need for control, perfectionism, low self-esteem |
Genetics and biology | History of eating disorders in family, chemical imbalance in the brain |
Media and culture ideals | Thin ideal images and messages |
Sports and health | Gymnastics or dance, health or exercise class, desire to be healthy, lack of knowledge about nutrition |
Body image and eating | Drive for thinness, unhappiness with appearance, feeling overweight or unattractive, distorted image |