An eating disorder does not relate to just anorexia or bulimia, though these are tow of the well-known forms of eating disorders. An eating disorder however is a mental health condition that revolves around an unhealthy relationship with food, eating, and an intense fear of being overweight. It is doubtful that there is one sole reason for an individual to have an eating disorder, much like an addiction it can be due to a variety and a combination of factors.
These include, but are not limited too:
- Low self-esteem
- Poor peer relationships
- Family relationships
- Loss of a loved one
- Issues within the work or school environment
- Trauma – being bullied, rape, physical, sexual or emotional abuse.
Eating disorders are not limited to just the adolescent female, males are also at risk as are adults and children.