Who is at risk of developing an eating disorder?
Anyone can develop an eating disorder, but there are certain factors that may increase a person’s chances of developing one of these illnesses: • Family History – Eating disorders tend to run in families, which suggests a strong genetic component. Of course, environmental influences and other factors play a major role as well. • Being a Young Female – Teenage girls and young adult women are most likely to develop an eating disorder, though men and older women also struggle with these illnesses. • Personality Traits – People with eating disorders often share certain personality traits. Generally speaking, they tend to have low self-esteem and difficulty coping with negative emotions and experiences. • Career – People who engage in certain careers or activities are more likely to develop eating disorders. For example, models and actors are under immense pressure to achieve unrealistic ideals of beauty, as are dancers, gymnasts, wrestlers, runners and others in similar body-focused fields
